The Kano State–led Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM), with support from the FCDO-backed Lafiya Project, has convened stakeholders to validate a Child Birth Spacing (CBS) Financing Advocacy Pack.
The validation meeting, held Tuesday at Babale Suites in Kano, brought together KanSLAM members, Ward Development Committee representatives and other key actors in the health sector to review findings from research conducted to support evidence-based advocacy.
The Pack is aimed at strengthening funding, release and utilization of family planning resources in the state.
KanSLAM Co-chair, Pharm. Maimuna Yakubu, described the document as a strategic advocacy tool designed to push for increased budgetary allocation and improved utilisation of family planning funds.
“This document speaks to advocacy for family planning, for an increase in budget and also utilisation,” she said.
According to her, the meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders who contributed data during the research phase to validate the findings before publication.
She explained that the advocacy pack outlines the roles of government, KanSLAM, Ward Development Committees (WDCs) and other stakeholders in ensuring that funds are not only increased but also released and properly utilized.
“While the process is linked to the Smart Advocacy Strategy in Action (SASA) project, it also draws support from other partners, stressing that the goal is collective accountability rather than credit to a single organization,” she said.
Musa Mohamed, a WDC stakeholder, said the workshop enhanced participants’ understanding of family planning budgeting and expenditure patterns.
“We learnt how much is being spent on family planning and how we can advocate for more funding and ensure accountability from the facility level up to the state level.
“Participants have resolved to intensify grassroots advocacy for improved budgeting and transparency,” he said.
Salisu Umar, consultant for the development of the CBS advocacy pack, emphasized the central role of communication in driving change.
He noted that Kano State has made progress, with about ₦500 million allocated for child birth spacing in the 2026 budget.
“Now we need to track whether that money is fully released, how commodities are procured and whether they reach the last mile,” he said.
Dr. Ashur Hamza Mohammed, another consultant, highlighted gaps in funding releases, data utilisation and community participation.
He said the validation exercise ensures the framework reflects stakeholder input and strengthens commitment to sustaining maternal and child health gains across Kano State.
