Shettima Urges Universal Child Benefit to Reduce Poverty in Nigeria

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the adoption of a Universal Child Benefit to address Nigeria’s multidimensional poverty, particularly in the North‑West. He made the appeal on Wednesday at the High‑Level North‑West Policy Dialogue in Kano State, where Deputy President of the Senate Senator Barau Jibrin stood in for him.

Shettima said that poverty now extends beyond income to include deficits in education, health, nutrition and opportunities for children and families. “The child is the most honest measure of any society. When a child is hungry, the future is hungry. When a child is out of school, the nation is out of position; when a child is denied healthcare, the economy pays in weakened human capital,” he remarked.

He warned that more than eight million Nigerian children remain out of school, a situation that threatens the country’s human‑capital development. The proposed benefit would provide predictable financial support to families with children, improving school enrolment, nutrition and overall child welfare. It would also reduce the pressures that push children into labour, early marriage and long‑term poverty.

Shettima called for a reliable social register, transparent payment systems and stronger coordination between federal and state governments to ensure effective delivery. He highlighted that the North‑West faces poverty, insecurity, displacement and climate shocks, making coordinated intervention urgent. Leaders must back dialogue agreements with clear financing plans and measurable actions. “The measure of our leadership will not be the elegance of our speeches, but the number of children whose lives are changed by our decisions,” he added.

The Federal Government remains committed to collaborating with states, development partners and traditional institutions to build a sustainable social protection system that safeguards vulnerable Nigerians.

Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II also spoke, urging North‑West leaders to confront the region’s challenges honestly. He said progress requires acknowledging the data on poverty and human development. “The measure of any society is how it expands opportunity, protects the vulnerable, and ensures that no child’s future is foreclosed by the poverty of their birth,” he said. He warned that, despite some progress, the North‑West still bears the country’s heaviest poverty and inequality burden, with some states reporting multidimensional poverty rates above 90 percent.

UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative Wafaa Saeed cautioned that Nigeria cannot achieve real development while many families struggle to meet basic needs such as food, education and healthcare. She stressed that poverty in the North‑West and nationwide demands stronger implementation, not just policy discussion. Government efforts alone are insufficient; she called for increased domestic financing, greater private‑sector involvement and deeper partnerships with development actors.

“While governments play a central role, private‑sector investment is also critical, especially in creating jobs and supporting skills development for young people. A well‑designed social safety net should not only provide temporary relief but also help families become more resilient and move out of poverty,” she added.