Poverty and Poor Education Continue to Affect Millions in North‑West, Says Sanusi

By Hadiza Yusuf

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, warned that poverty, inadequate education and weak health services continue to affect millions in Nigeria’s North‑West.

Speaking at a high‑level policy dialogue in Kano on Wednesday, Sanusi urged leaders to confront the harsh realities if meaningful progress is to be made.

“We must tell ourselves the truth,” he said.

He noted that, despite years of interventions, many communities in the region still struggle with deep poverty, limited access to quality education and insufficient health care.

Sanusi warned that progress would remain slow if leaders avoid difficult conversations and fail to take concrete action.

He also cautioned against a culture of empty promises, where announcements are made without tangible results.

“Leaders must resist substituting announcements for action,” he said.

He stressed the need for policies that translate into real improvements in people’s lives and emphasized that addressing poverty and inequality requires sincere leadership and sustained investment in critical sectors such as education and health.

Also at the event, Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, represented by Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin, called for a Universal Child Benefit to support vulnerable families.

“The child is the most honest measure of any society. When a child is hungry, the future is hungry,” he said.

He explained that direct support to families would improve child nutrition, keep children in school, and reduce child labour and early marriage.

Meanwhile, UNICEF representative Wafaa Saeed highlighted the need for stronger implementation of policies, noting that inequality in access to basic services remains a major challenge in the region.

She called for stronger social protection systems to help families cope with economic hardship, insecurity and climate‑related challenges.

At the end of the meeting, North‑West governors agreed that tackling poverty must be treated as an urgent priority.

They pledged to improve funding, strengthen coordination and expand social protection programmes across the region.

Vanguard News

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