Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
UNICEF Nigeria has convened stakeholders for the Knowledge for Use (K4U) Summit on Child Rights, a dynamic platform where evidence meets action to accelerate progress for children across Nigeria.
The Summit brings together thought leaders, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, development partners, academia and young people to showcase ideas, innovations, lessons and solutions driving results for children.
Designed as a conversation rather than a series of presentations, the Summit is sparking meaningful dialogue, challenging conventional thinking and fostering cross-sectoral collaboration on how knowledge, evidence and innovation can be translated into stronger policies, smarter investments and more effective programmes.
Speaking at the Summit while delivering her welcome speech, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, stressed the need to put young people at the centre of learning, delivery and measurement, noting that data and evidence are critical to moving decisions from guessing to knowing.
“We have to, in our system of learning and improving and delivering, put young people at the center,” Ms. Saeed said.
She thanked the organising team for creating space to pause, reflect and learn amid busy schedules, describing it as essential for improving outcomes for children.
According to her, data and evidence help stakeholders understand what is really happening, rather than what is assumed, by revealing the actual numbers, locations of greatest need, and root causes of challenges facing children.
She said evidence is crucial for making better decisions on resource allocation, designing programmes that respond to real needs and market realities, ensuring accountability, and driving advocacy for increased investment in children.
Ms. Saeed also highlighted the role of academia as key partners in generating learning and research, describing universities as very important stakeholders in UNICEF’s journey in Nigeria.
She noted that the K4U Summit underscores the importance of measurement and knowledge use in ensuring that policies and programmes deliver tangible results for every child.
The Summit will continue to provide a platform for participants to share real-world experiences, examine what works and why, and explore pathways for translating evidence into action at scale.