KANO, June 11, 2026 — Governors of Nigeria’s North-West states have pledged to intensify efforts aimed at reducing child poverty and expanding social protection programmes across the region, adopting a set of concrete and time-bound measures designed to improve the welfare of millions of vulnerable children and women.
The commitment was made at the end of a high-level policy dialogue held in Kano and convened by the North-West Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President, the European Union, UNICEF and other development partners.
The two-day meeting brought together governors from the region, Vice President Kashim Shettima, federal ministers, senior government officials, traditional and religious leaders, private sector stakeholders, youth representatives and development partners to address the growing challenge of multidimensional poverty in the North-West.
With an estimated population of about 60 million people, the region faces some of the country’s highest poverty rates, with children and women bearing the brunt of inadequate access to education, healthcare, nutrition, water and sanitation services, as well as income insecurity.
Participants at the dialogue examined practical strategies for strengthening social protection systems, improving access to quality education and healthcare, and mobilising sustainable financing mechanisms to support vulnerable populations, particularly communities affected by insecurity and displacement.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the governors adopted a joint communiqué outlining commitments to expand social protection programmes, including child-focused benefits, improve service delivery and increase domestic funding for poverty reduction initiatives.
They also endorsed a roadmap and monitoring framework to track implementation and ensure accountability.
Chairman of the North-West Governors’ Forum and Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, represented by the Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal, described the outcome as a significant step from policy discussions to practical implementation.
According to him, the region now has “a clear set of priorities and responsibilities that will guide how we invest in our people, particularly children, and deliver results that communities can see and feel.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima stressed the need for sustained leadership and coordination to ensure that the commitments translate into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
“The real measure of this dialogue will be in how quickly and effectively these commitments translate into improved lives for families across the North-West,” he said, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s support for state-led interventions.
Also speaking, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, underscored the importance of adequate funding and accountability in achieving the region’s development objectives.
He noted that strong commitments must be matched with sustained investment and transparent systems to ensure that resources reach the most vulnerable and produce lasting impact.
The UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, highlighted the urgency of accelerating action to improve outcomes for children across the region.
“For children in the North-West, time is critical. Expanding social protection, improving access to health and education, and prioritising the most vulnerable will determine whether millions of children have the chance to survive, learn and thrive,” she said.
Stakeholders at the meeting noted that the dialogue forms part of broader regional efforts to promote peace, security and sustainable development, recognising that tackling poverty and vulnerability remains essential to long-term stability and economic growth.
UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting governments and development partners in implementing the agreed actions to ensure that every child, especially the most vulnerable, benefits from improved social protection and essential services.
