UNICEF, Bureau Target 1,000 Kaduna Households In Welfare Survey

Officials of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have kicked off the monitoring of the ongoing Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) in Kaduna State by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The MICS, a nationwide exercise covering Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is designed to provide vital evidence on children, women, health, nutrition, education and overall household welfare.

It is also a global household survey, which UNICEF uses to collect detailed, internationally comparable data on children, women and families, covering health, education, child protection, water, sanitation, nutrition, and more, crucial for monitoring progress on national goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

MICS empowers countries to assess their populations, highlight inequalities and inform policies for improved child and maternal well-being, making it a vital source for data on vulnerable groups.

During monitoring visits to Dan Madami in Rigasa and Tudun Wada, the bteam observed NBS enumerators conducting interviews, with residents in many locations reported to have responded positively to the survey process.

UNICEF programme monitoring specialist, Husseni Bala Habu, expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of field activities, noting that most respondents had shown enthusiasm and understanding of the survey’s importance.

“We have visited several households and seen that the MICS teams are carrying out their work effectively. People have been cooperating and some were even excited that someone came to listen to them and understand their living conditions,” he said.

Habu stressed that credible data is essential for effective planning and equitable resource allocation, adding that the findings would help the government identify critical gaps and channel interventions appropriately.

At Tudun Wada, NBS officer, Rabia Abdulrazak, appealed for more cooperation from residents, particularly in areas where some households declined to take part.

“We are pleading with Nigerians to please respond when we come to their houses. We need maximum cooperation. We are not strangers; we are here to build a better Nigeria,” she said.

A resident of Dan Madami, Aliyu Hudu, commended the initiative, saying it made the community feel recognised and included.

“In those days, nobody considered us important. We appreciate this initiative and urge stakeholders to empower us with work and resources,” he stated.

Mr Raymond Yakubu of NBS disclosed that the survey in Kaduna State targeted 1,000 households in 50 clusters expected to climax in March 2026.

He said the data will be used to curb child and mother mortality, as challenges associated with such deaths would be collated during the survey.