Investing in the First 2,000 Days: Governor Inuwa Yahaya Meets World Bank Delegation
By, Abdulwahab Muhammad Bauchi.
On December 3rd, 2025, Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, met with a high-level World Bank delegation led by Country Director Dr. Mathew Verghis in Kaduna. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Northern Governors’ Forum and centered on one powerful idea: the first 2,000 days of a child’s life are the most important investment for the future of Northern Nigeria.
Why the First 2,000 Days Matter
From conception to age five, a child’s brain and body undergo rapid development. Nutrition, healthcare, stimulation, and early learning during this period shape lifelong health, productivity, and learning outcomes. As Dr. Verghis emphasized, states carry the largest delivery responsibility, making local partnerships essential to building a nationally coherent, state-responsive early years platform.
Partnership Priorities
The World Bank team presented a framework titled “Country Partnership Priorities and the Early Years Opportunity”, highlighting:
Strengthening collaboration with subnational governments.
Scaling investment in early childhood programmes.
Accelerating human capital development across Northern Nigeria.
Governor Yahaya reaffirmed Gombe State’s commitment to human capital reforms, stressing the importance of sustained partnerships in tackling challenges faced by children, women, and vulnerable populations. His focus areas include:
Nutrition
Early childhood education
Social protection
Community health
Consensus Among Northern Governors
The collective voice of the Northern Governors was clear:
“Investing in the early years of children is the most important investment we can make if we want peace, productivity, and a stronger northern economy.”
This consensus signals a shift toward evidence-driven policymaking, where human capital development is not just a policy goal but a strategic foundation for regional stability and growth.
The Bigger Picture
Nigeria’s early years agenda is set to become a core component of the National Economic Council’s human capital development framework. With the World Bank’s support, states like Gombe are positioning themselves as leaders in transformative social investment.
The delegation included:
Dr. Mathew Verghis – Country Director
Ms. Ritgak Tilley-Gyado – Team Lead, Stunting & Early Years Programme
Mr. Taimur Samad – Operations Manager
Ms. Tina George – Lead Social Protection Specialist
Final Thoughts
Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s meeting with the World Bank delegation underscores a simple but profound truth: the road to peace and prosperity in Northern Nigeria begins with investing in its youngest citizens. By prioritizing the first 2,000 days, the region is laying the foundation for a healthier, more productive, and more resilient future.
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