Governors of the North-West region have begun moves to implement a coordinated policy framework aimed at tackling multidimensional poverty through expanded social protection programmes and innovative financing mechanisms across the seven states of the region.
The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday in Kano during a two-day high-level policy dialogue on Reducing Multidimensional Poverty Through Scaled Social Protection Systems and Innovative Financing, organised by the North-West Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the Federal Government and supported by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Speaking at the opening session, Director-General of the North-West Governors’ Forum Secretariat, Maryam Yahaya, said the dialogue marked a critical step towards translating regional commitments into concrete actions that would improve the lives of millions of people.
She noted that despite the region’s enormous human and economic potential, the North-West continues to face severe development challenges, including widespread poverty, poor health outcomes, insecurity, climate-related vulnerabilities and a large number of out-of-school children.
According to her, the challenges transcend state boundaries and require coordinated regional responses.
“The North-West is home to enormous potential, but we continue to face major development challenges. This dialogue forms part of the implementation architecture of the North-West Peace, Security and Development Framework, translating regional commitments into practical actions through stronger social protection systems, innovative financing and coordinated investments in human capital development,” Yahaya said.
She added that the forum would work with governments, development partners, private sector organisations, philanthropic institutions and traditional leaders to identify sustainable financing options capable of reducing poverty at scale.
Also speaking, the Head of Human Development at the European Union, Dr Leila Amor, said the EU was proud to support the initiative, describing poverty reduction as one of the most urgent challenges confronting both the North-West and Nigeria as a whole.
She stressed the need for stronger regional collaboration, noting that poverty and insecurity cut across state boundaries.
“The EU fully supports efforts to strengthen social protection systems and improve human development outcomes across the North-West. Poverty does not stop at borders, and only coordinated regional action can address it effectively,” she said.
UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Dr Rownak Khan, described the meeting as a major milestone in efforts to address poverty and deprivation in the region.
She said the seven North-West states account for nearly 60 million people and face some of the country’s worst child welfare indicators.
According to her, maternal mortality in the region exceeds 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births, under-five mortality stands at 140 per 1,000 live births, while nearly 60 per cent of children suffer from stunted growth.
Khan advocated the introduction of a universal child benefit programme, describing it as a proven strategy for reducing child poverty, improving school enrolment and strengthening household resilience.
Declaring the event open on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kano State Deputy Governor Murtala Garo said social protection should be viewed as a strategic investment in human capital development and economic growth rather than as a welfare programme.
He said Kano had already enacted a Social Protection Policy Law and established a Social Protection Directorate to coordinate interventions targeted at vulnerable groups.
Garo urged stakeholders to ensure that discussions at the dialogue result in practical policies and programmes capable of improving the lives of people across the North-West region.
