North-West Governors Adopt Strategy to Tackle Child Poverty
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Governors from Nigeria’s North-West region have adopted a new strategy aimed at reducing child poverty and strengthening social protection programmes for vulnerable households.
The decision was reached at a two-day policy dialogue held in Kano and organised by the North-West Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President, UNICEF, the European Union and other development partners.
The meeting brought together state governors, policymakers, traditional and religious leaders, development agencies, youth representatives and private sector stakeholders to discuss poverty and welfare challenges across the region.
Participants highlighted concerns over high levels of child poverty, poor access to healthcare, malnutrition, inadequate sanitation, insecurity and the large number of children out of school.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the governors pledged to strengthen social protection systems, improve access to education and healthcare services, expand child-focused welfare programmes and increase funding for poverty reduction initiatives.
They also approved a framework to monitor implementation of the measures and assess progress across the seven North-West states.
The Chairman of the North-West Governors’ Forum and Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umaru Radda, represented by his deputy, Faruk Lawal, said the resolutions would help guide investments in human development and improve the welfare of vulnerable communities.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima said the success of the initiative would depend on effective implementation and accountability, while reaffirming the federal government’s support.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, called for sustained investment and transparency in social welfare programmes.
UNICEF’s representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, urged governments in the region to prioritise education, healthcare and social protection measures aimed at improving the lives of children.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
