The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening social protection systems and adopting innovative financing mechanisms to reduce multidimensional poverty across the North-West and Nigeria at large.
Speaking at the North-West Policy Dialogue on Reducing Multidimensional Poverty Through Scaled Social Protection Systems and Innovative Financing held in Kano on Monday, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, said multidimensional poverty remains one of the region’s most pressing challenges.
Garo, who represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the event, noted that poverty extends beyond lack of income to include limited access to education, healthcare, decent housing, clean water, sanitation, financial services and sustainable livelihoods.
He stressed that addressing the challenge requires collective action, innovation and sustained commitment from governments, development partners and other stakeholders.
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According to him, the administration of Governor Yusuf regards social protection as a strategic investment rather than a welfare programme.
“Empowering vulnerable households through effective social protection systems strengthens resilience, reduces inequality and creates sustainable pathways out of poverty,” he said.
The deputy governor said the state government had continued to prioritise programmes targeting women, children, persons with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable groups through investments in education, healthcare, skills acquisition, youth empowerment and social intervention initiatives.
He identified public-private partnerships, blended finance, development financing and stronger domestic resource mobilisation as critical tools for reducing poverty and promoting inclusive growth.
Garo also commended the Office of the Vice President, the European Union, UNICEF and other development partners for supporting efforts aimed at strengthening social protection systems and improving access to essential services.
He called on stakeholders to deepen partnerships, share best practices, embrace innovation and mobilise resources to ensure sustainable and inclusive social protection across the North-West.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Engr. Idris Muhammad Gobir, who represented Governor Ahmed Aliyu, warned that widespread poverty continues to fuel social vices and other socio-economic challenges in parts of the region.
Gobir called for policy reforms and stronger stakeholder engagement to tackle the growing number of out-of-school children, describing education as central to poverty reduction and wealth creation.
He also advocated strategic interventions to address street begging through education and economic empowerment programmes.
In her remarks, the Director-General of the North-West Governors’ Forum, Maryam Musa Yahaya, said the policy dialogue underscored the forum’s commitment to inclusive regional development.
She noted that insecurity, displacement and the vulnerability of women, children and underserved groups remain major concerns requiring coordinated action.
“Reducing multidimensional poverty requires shared responsibility, diversified financing, sustained partnerships and coordinated implementation,” she said. :
