Osun Govt Unveils Early Childhood Development Strategy, Seeks National Adoption



 Segilola Babalola
The Osun State Government has launched its Early Childhood Development (ECD) Strategy, with a plan to present it at the forthcoming National Council on Health for possible nationwide adoption.

Speaking at the public presentation of the strategy held at the Conference hall, Ministry of Health  in Osogbo, the Commissioner for Health, Barr. Jola Akintola, explained that the initiative was birthed from a pilot study conducted in Ife Central Local Government. The study, he said, led to the formation of a technical working group that developed the strategic document, aimed at benefiting children across Osun State and eventually the entire country.

Akintola emphasized that the programme will be integrated into infant welfare clinics and immunization programmes across the state to ensure early detection of developmental or neurological challenge in children.

He noted that timely interventions would be made for children identified with growth or developmental deficiencies, thereby enabling them to reach their full potential.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Hospitals  Management  Board, Dr. Bosun Awoyemi, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Isiaka Adekunle, expressed gratitude to the state government for supporting such a significant project. 

Dr. Adekunle added that the programme would revolutionize the monitoring of children’s growth and development in Osun State.

The team leader of the pilot intervention, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatosin Olorunmoteni in her own words disclosed that the project began in February 2024. She thanked the government for expanding the benefits beyond Ife Central, stressing that the first five years of a child’s life are critical for brain development and must be properly nurtured.

Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Osun State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, and the Hospital Management Board also commended the government for the initiative. They noted that the programme would help detect developmental deficiencies early and strengthen child health in the state.
The event featured the official signing and unveiling of the Osun State Early Childhood Development Strategy, marking a major milestone in the state’s commitment to improving child health and wellbeing.

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