North West governors unveil regional plan to tackle poverty

Governors from Nigeria's North-West region convened in Kano for a high-level policy dialogue aimed at tackling multidimensional poverty. The summit focused on implementing scaled social protection systems and exploring innovative financing mechanisms to address the root causes of poverty, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations including children and women.

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The state continues to invest in education, healthcare, skills acquisition, youth empowerment, and other social intervention programmes aimed at improving living standards.

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, represented by his deputy, declared the dialogue open, framing social protection not just as welfare but as a crucial investment in human capital, social stability, and economic growth. Kano State has already taken steps to institutionalize social protection, enacting a 2025 Social Protection Policy Law and establishing a dedicated directorate within its Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Yusuf stressed the need for comprehensive, integrated, and data-driven social protection systems that are transparent, accountable, and effectively reach those most in need.

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Addressing the scale of poverty and vulnerability across the region requires a shift from fragmented interventions to comprehensive, integrated, and data-driven social protection systems that are transparent, accountable, and reach those most in need.

Maryam Yahaya, Director-General of the North-West Governors’ Forum (NWGF), described the dialogue as a pivotal moment for the region. She acknowledged the North-West's significant population, human capital, and economic potential, yet highlighted persistent challenges such as high multidimensional poverty, poor health outcomes, insecurity, and a growing number of out-of-school children. Yahaya emphasized that these issues transcend state borders, necessitating coordinated regional strategies and viewing social protection as an investment in the region's future stability and productivity.

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The North-West still faces high multidimensional poverty, poor health outcomes, insecurity, and a growing number of out-of-school children.

UNICEF's Deputy Representative, Dr. Rownak Khan, underscored the severe challenges facing children in the North-West, including high maternal mortality, malnutrition, stunting, and limited access to essential services. She pointed to child-focused social protection programs, like unconditional cash transfers, as vital tools for improving access to healthcare, education, and nutrition. One participant, Muhammad Haruna, expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of the dialogue.

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Child-focused social protection programmes, such as unconditional cash transfers, were vital for improving access to healthcare, education, and nutrition.