The North-West Governors’ Forum (NWGF) has convened a high-level Policy Dialogue aimed at reducing multidimensional poverty through scaled social protection systems and innovative financing.
The strategic meeting brought together policymakers, development partners, technical experts, and regional stakeholders to forge practical, sustainable strategies to protect vulnerable groups particularly women and children across the seven North-West states of Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
Declaring the technical session open, the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf represented by his Deputy, Murtala Sule Garo emphasized that social protection must shift from being viewed as mere welfare to a strategic economic priority.
“Social protection should be viewed not merely as a welfare intervention, but as a strategic investment in human capital development, social stability, and economic growth.”
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf represented by Deputy Gov. Murtala Sule Garo, Governor Yusuf highlighted Kano State’s proactive measures, including the enactment of the Social Protection Policy Law in 2025.
This legislation successfully institutionalized support by establishing the Social Protection Directorate under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
He added that the state continues to invest heavily in education, healthcare, skills acquisition, and youth empowerment to uplift citizens’ living standards.
In her welcome address, the Director-General of the NWGF, Maryam Musa Yahaya, described the dialogue as a defining moment for a region grappling with complex socio-economic hurdles.
Despite the North-West’s vibrant population and rich human capital, Yahaya noted that the region faces severe pressures, including: High levels of multidimensional poverty and poor health outcomes, Insecurity, displacement, and fiscal strains and Climate-related vulnerabilities
Because these challenges transcend state boundaries, Yahaya stressed the necessity of a unified regional response.
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She revealed that the Forum has adopted the North-West Peace, Security and Development Framework a shared roadmap designed to tackle the root causes of fragility while accelerating human development.
The dialogue also received strong commitments from federal and international development partners:
North West Development Commission (NWDC): The Managing Director, Professor Shehu Abdullahi, reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to driving impactful development interventions.
He pledged close collaboration with the NWGF, aligning regional efforts with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Rownak Khan, UNICEF’s Deputy Representative, brought urgent attention to the severe crises facing children in the region, pointing to alarming rates of maternal mortality, child malnutrition, and stunting.
Dr. Khan advocated for immediate, child-focused social protection interventions such as unconditional cash transfers as proven mechanisms to directly improve access to vital healthcare, education, and nutrition for the region’s most vulnerable families.