By Mustapha Salisu
Governors from across the North-West, Nigeria on Wednesday converged in Kano to push for a more coordinated and regionally driven response to rising multidimensional poverty, with calls for stronger social protection systems and innovative financing mechanisms dominating discussions.
The engagement, held today at Coronation Hall, Kano State Government House, brought together policymakers, development partners, traditional leaders, and representatives of federal and state institutions under the North-West Governors’ Forum Policy Dialogue on Reducing Multidimensional Poverty Through Scaled Social Protection Systems and Innovative Financing.
Representing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alh. Murtala Sule Garo, described poverty as a persistent challenge cutting across education, healthcare, agriculture, housing, and security in the region.
He stressed that despite the North-West’s population strength and resource endowment, poverty levels continue to constrain development outcomes, calling for deeper collaboration among states in the region.
According to him, the dialogue in collaboration with partners including UNICEF and the European Union is aimed at developing practical, long-term solutions that can be implemented across states.
Garo emphasized that shared cultural and historical ties in the North-West should serve as a foundation for unity in policy direction, particularly in addressing poverty and vulnerability.
“In this region, we are like siblings from the same parent. There is a need for dialogue among policymakers, academics, and traditional leaders to address poverty,” he said.
He also highlighted ongoing reforms in Kano State under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, noting increased budgetary allocations to health and education, alongside targeted interventions in maternal healthcare, nutrition, youth empowerment, Almajiri rehabilitation, and girl-child education.
Delivering a message on behalf of the Vice President, Senate Deputy President Barau I. Jibrin stressed that social protection must evolve into a sustainable national system capable of shielding vulnerable citizens from economic shocks.
He called for reliable social registers, transparent payment structures, and stronger financing mechanisms, adding that measurable outcomes must guide all poverty reduction efforts.
In a keynote presentation titled “Building the North-West from Within: People, Potential, and the Path Forward,” the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, urged states to adopt structured social investment frameworks with protected budget lines dedicated to life-cycle interventions.
He recommended a minimum social package guaranteeing essential services at different stages of life, alongside early childhood development strategies, expanded literacy programmes, skills acquisition, and job creation initiatives.
The Emir further called for stronger integration of traditional institutions into programme design and delivery, stressing the need for honesty in data use and policy evaluation.
“We must tell ourselves the truth and show intellectual sincerity in confronting the data, celebrating progress while refusing to substitute announcements for action,” he said.
He added that states demonstrating genuine commitment to social investment would naturally attract broader support from the federal government and development partners.
“Finally, we must publish our results as a region, not just to celebrate success, but to see gaps clearly, compare honestly across states, and forge the future with the intellectual sincerity our people deserve,” he added.
Highlights of the policy dialogue included goodwill messages from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programmes (Office of the Vice President), representatives of various Federal Ministries, the UNICEF Representative, and the European Union Ambassador, as well as the Chair of the North-West Governors Forum and deputies representing the executive governors of Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa, Zamfara, and Sokoto States. All contributions converged on a unanimous call for deeper commitment to translate shared concerns into coordinated, implementable action, complemented by a short documentary showcasing the North-West’s potential in addressing multidimensional poverty.
