FIC Report (Kano State) – The Kano State Government has restated its commitment to strengthening social protection systems and adopting innovative financing to reduce multidimensional poverty across the Northwest and Nigeria as a whole.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the “North-west Policy Dialogue on Reducing Multidimensional Poverty Through Scaled Social Protection Systems and Innovative Financing” held at Bristol Palace Hotel, Kano, Deputy Governor Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo described multidimensional poverty as one of the region’s most pressing challenges.
He said poverty goes beyond income, affecting access to education, healthcare, housing, water, sanitation, finance, and sustainable livelihoods.
According to him, tackling these challenges requires collective action, innovation, and sustained commitment from government, development partners, and stakeholders.
Alhaji Murtala Garo noted that the Governor Abba Yusuf administration views social protection as a strategic investment, not just welfare. He said, “Empowering vulnerable households through effective systems strengthens resilience, reduces inequality, and creates sustainable pathways out of poverty.”
He added that the State government continues to prioritize programmes for women, children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups through investments in education, healthcare, skills acquisition, youth empowerment, and social interventions.
The Deputy Governor highlighted public-private partnerships, blended finance, development financing, and stronger domestic resource mobilization as key strategies for poverty reduction.
He also commended the Office of the Vice President, the European Union, UNICEF, and other development partners for supporting social protection systems and improving access to essential services.
Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo urged stakeholders to deepen partnerships, share best practices, embrace innovation, and mobilize resources for inclusive and sustainable social protection across the Northwest.
Speaking earlier, Sokoto State Deputy Governor Engr. Idris Muhammad Gobir, representing Governor Ahmed Aliyu, warned that widespread poverty often drives social vices and other challenges in some states in the Northwest.
He called for policy reforms and stronger stakeholder engagement to address the growing out-of-school children crisis, describing it as central to poverty reduction and wealth creation.
Eng. Idris Gobir also urged strategic interventions to curb street begging through education and economic empowerment.
Also in her welcome remarks, the Director-General of the Northwest Governors Forum, Maryam Musa Yahaya, said the dialogue reflected the Forum’s commitment to inclusive regional development.
She noted that insecurity, displacement, and vulnerability among women, children, and underserved groups remain key concerns requiring coordinated action.
“Reducing multidimensional poverty requires shared responsibility, diversified financing, sustained partnerships, and coordinated implementation,” she said.
SIGNED:
MUAZU MUKHTAR HOC KANO OFFICE
9/9/2026.
