North-West Govs Link up in Kano to Tackle Poverty
Last update: June 10, 2026
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Seven states, one big problem, and a new game plan — the North-West just put poverty on notice.
The North-West Governors’ Forum has just pulled the big guns out in Kano, and it’s all about tackling poverty head-on, cbinews.tv reports.
Governors from across the seven North-West states sat down for a high-level policy dialogue this week, with one mission: figure out how to cut *multidimensional poverty* by scaling up social protection and getting creative with financing.
It wasn’t just talk. Policymakers, development partners and technical experts filled the room, all focused on real, practical fixes that actually last — especially for children, women, and other vulnerable groups who feel poverty the hardest, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
“This isn’t just welfare”
Kicking things off in Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf said we need to stop seeing social protection as a handout. It’s an investment — in people, in stability, and in growth.
His deputy, Murtala Sule-Garo, stood in for him and laid out what Kano’s already doing: a new 2025 Social Protection Policy Law, plus a Social Protection Directorate under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
“We’re putting money into education, healthcare, skills, youth empowerment — the works,” he said. “But to really shift the needle, we’ve got to move from scattered projects to proper, data-driven systems. Transparent, accountable, and actually reaching the people who need it most.”
A defining moment for the region
NWGF Director-General Maryam Yahaya didn’t mince words. She called the dialogue a “defining moment” for the North-West.
Yes, the region has the people, the talent, and the economic potential. But it’s also battling high multidimensional poverty, poor health outcomes, insecurity, and too many kids out of school.
“These problems don’t stop at state borders,” Yahaya said. “So, our solutions can’t either. Social protection is an investment in stability, productivity, and our future.”
She pointed to the new North-West Peace, Security and Development Framework — a plan to link peace, security, economic growth and social wellbeing all together.
What about the kids?
UNICEF’s Deputy Rep, Dr Rownak Khan, brought the stats that hit hard: high maternal mortality, malnutrition, stunting, and kids missing basic services across the North-West.
Her take? Unconditional cash transfers and child-focused social protection aren’t nice-to-haves. They’re vital for getting families access to healthcare, education, and proper nutrition.
What people are saying
One participant, Muhammad Haruna, told NAN he’s feeling optimistic. With stronger regional teamwork and new financing ideas, he reckons the North-West could see poverty drop in a big way.
Halima Yusuf, another attendee, stressed that policies have to be inclusive and community led. “We need government, development partners and civil society all at the table,” she said. “That’s how you build strategies that help people now *and* set up long-term development.”
Attribution: cbinews.tv
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