Northwest Governors Commit to Fighting Poverty and Supporting Women and Children

Governors from the North West region have pledged concrete, time‑bound actions to reduce multidimensional poverty and improve living conditions for women and children.

The commitment followed a two‑day policy dialogue held in Kano over the weekend, organised by the North West Governors’ Forum in partnership with the Office of the Vice President, the European Union (EU), and UNICEF.

The event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, ministers, traditional and religious leaders, youth representatives, and private‑sector stakeholders.

The North West, home to roughly 60 million people, currently experiences some of Nigeria’s highest multidimensional poverty rates.

Women and children are the hardest hit, with more than half of the region’s children out of school. Families also confront severe, overlapping deficits in healthcare, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, and income security.

To tackle these challenges, the governors adopted a joint communiqué at the meeting’s conclusion.

The document outlined strategies to scale up social protection systems—including child‑focused benefits—strengthen public service delivery, and increase domestic financing for poverty reduction.

The governors also endorsed a structured roadmap and monitoring framework to track implementation progress.

Speaking for the Chairman of the North‑West Governors’ Forum and Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, Deputy Governor Malam Faruk Lawal described the agreement as a pivot from intent to action.

He said the region now has a clear set of priorities to guide human‑capital investments and deliver tangible results for local communities.

Vice President Kashim Shettima added that the initiative’s success depends on sustained leadership and swift execution, reaffirming the federal government’s full support for the states.

He noted that the true measure of the dialogue will be how quickly these commitments translate into better lives for families.

International partners also stressed the need for accountability and speed.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, said strong commitments must be backed by transparent systems and sustained investment to ensure resources reach the most vulnerable.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, warned that time is critical for the region’s youth, noting that expanding social protection and healthcare will determine whether millions of children survive and thrive.

The policy dialogue was part of a broader regional strategy to foster peace, security, and economic stability by addressing the root socioeconomic vulnerabilities of the population.

UNICEF and other development partners have pledged continued technical and financial support to ensure the successful implementation of the roadmap.