Tinubu Promises Scalable Social Protection System with Measurable Outcomes, Says Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima announced that President Bola Tinubu is dedicated to creating a scalable social‑protection system that delivers measurable outcomes for Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.

The statement was made on Wednesday in Kano during a policy dialogue organized by the North‑West Governors’ Forum, with backing from the European Union and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The forum’s theme was “Setting the Political Agenda for Reducing Multidimensional Poverty Through Scaled Social Protection Systems and Innovative Financing.”

Representing the vice‑president, Senator Jibrin Barau, Deputy President of the Senate, said the government will collaborate closely with states, traditional institutions, religious leaders, communities, and development partners to reach this goal.

Shettima emphasized that hope must be organized, financed, delivered, and measured effectively.

He added that a credible and sustainable social‑protection framework requires data‑driven planning, adequate funding, and strong cooperation across all levels of government and community structures to ensure no one is left behind.

Shettima remarked, “This dialogue could not have come at a more consequential moment. Poverty is no longer defined only by the absence of income.”

“It is the child who cannot read at 10, the mother who approaches childbirth with fear, the household unsure of tomorrow’s food, and the young mind outside the classroom while the world races towards artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and a knowledge economy that will not wait for those who hesitate.”

He added, “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, the mothers who survive, the girls who remain in school, the families that no longer fall into ruin because a shock arrived, and the region that converts its population from a burden of need into an army of talent, enterprise, and innovation.”

UNICEF’s Nigerian representative, Wafaa Elfadil Saeed Abdelatef, said the focus must be on implementation and scale.

Abdelatef stated, “Evidence from government data and previous speakers shows Nigeria is blessed with a vibrant private sector that is central to delivering results.”

“The private sector is engaged beyond corporate social responsibility, investing in jobs and skills because young people are the future employers and customers.”

He added that financing was critical, noting that while the government cannot do it alone, domestic financing is key to closing the gap.

He said there is still a huge discrepancy in children’s access to education, health, and other services across the country, stressing that addressing implementation, financing, and inclusion is essential because the core issue is inequity.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, stressed that security and sustainability cannot exist without a strong democracy.

Mignot said, “We have too many people who cannot make ends meet.” He added, “We are ready to assist you in addressing and eradicating poverty in Nigeria.”