The North-West Governors’ Forum (NWGF) has unveiled a coordinated regional strategy aimed at reducing multidimensional poverty across the seven states of the zone.
At a high-level policy dialogue held in Kano, governors, policymakers, development partners, and technical experts discussed ways to strengthen social protection systems and introduce innovative financing to address poverty, insecurity, and poor health outcomes.
Declaring the summit open, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, represented by his deputy, Murtala Sule-Garo emphasized that social protection should be seen as a strategic investment in human capital and economic growth rather than mere welfare.
He highlighted Kano’s adoption of the 2025 Social Protection Policy Law and the creation of a Social Protection Directorate under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
“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,” Yusuf stated.
NWGF Director-General, Maryam Yahaya, described the dialogue as a defining moment, noting that despite the region’s population and economic potential, it continues to face high poverty levels, insecurity, and a growing number of out-of-school children.
She stressed the need for coordinated responses across state boundaries.UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr Rownak Khan, underscored the severe challenges facing children in the region, including maternal mortality, malnutrition, and limited access to essential services.
He called for child-focused social protection programmes such as unconditional cash transfers to improve healthcare, education, and nutrition.
Participants at the summit expressed optimism that strengthened cooperation, innovative financing, and inclusive policies could significantly reduce poverty levels in the North-West.
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