FIC Report (Kaduna State) – The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Her Excellency Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, represented His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna state, at the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Reducing Multidimensional Poverty Through Scaled Social Protection Systems and Innovative Financing, held at the Government House in Kano.
Speaking at the dialogue, Dr. Balarabe lamented the devastating impact of multidimensional poverty on communities, noting that it deprives children of access to education, denies mothers quality healthcare, limits families’ access to decent housing, and constrains the aspirations of many young people.
She observed that these challenges have hindered the North-West region from fully harnessing its abundant human and economic potential.
The Deputy Governor stated that the administration of Governor Uba Sani has continued to pursue a people-centred development agenda anchored on peacebuilding, social inclusion, economic empowerment, education, healthcare, and expanded opportunities for vulnerable groups.
According to her, the Kaduna State Government has invested significantly in expanding school infrastructure and strengthening community participation in educational development across the state.
She said we have also undertaken significant reforms and investments in the health sector, including the upgrade of facilities across the state to improve maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes.
Also speaking at the event, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, called on participants to ensure that the dialogue produces concrete outcomes, including a financing framework, implementation timelines, and budgetary commitments for combating poverty in the region.
He challenged organisers and stakeholders to develop commitments commensurate with the scale of the poverty crisis confronting the North-West.
The Vice President commended the North-West Governors’ Forum, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Federal Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning as well as Humanitarian Affairs for supporting the initiative.
In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, stressed that leaders have a responsibility to ensure equitable distribution of wealth among citizens. He maintained that social investments should not be viewed as charity but as strategic investment in peace, stability, and sustainable development.
The Emir advocated the establishment of enduring social protection systems that can outlive successive administrations and continue to safeguard citizens’ welfare.
To effectively address multidimensional poverty.
He recommended sustained financing across electoral cycles, alternative funding mechanisms such as SUKKUK, and the provision of minimum social protection packages at every stage of citizens’ lives. He also emphasized the importance of early childhood development, particularly girl-child education, skills acquisition, adult education, livelihood support programmes, and the integration of traditional institutions into governance structures.
According to him, traditional institutions remain the most extensive and accessible social structure across the North West and can play a critical role in poverty reduction efforts.
The two-day dialogue, which organised by the North-West Governors’ Forum with technical and financial support from the European Union, UNICEF, the Office of the Vice President, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, other United Nations agencies, and development partners.
Discussions at the forum focused on strengthening social protection systems, improving healthcare and education outcomes, and developing sustainable financing mechanisms for poverty reduction across the region.
Signed:
Muhammad Gwani
AD FIRC KADUNA
10th June,2026.
