The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed concern over persistent poverty, poor educational outcomes and weak healthcare systems across Nigeria’s North-West, urging leaders to confront the region’s challenges with honesty and decisive action.
Speaking at a policy dialogue in Kano on Wednesday, Sanusi said meaningful progress would remain elusive unless leaders acknowledged the scale of the problems facing millions of people in the region.
“We must tell ourselves the truth,” he said.
According to the emir, many communities continue to grapple with deep poverty, limited access to quality education and inadequate healthcare despite years of interventions.
He warned against what he described as a culture of rhetoric without results, stressing that public policy must deliver tangible improvements in people’s lives.
“Leaders must resist substituting announcements for action,” he said.
Sanusi called for sustained investment in critical sectors, particularly education and healthcare, arguing that tackling poverty and inequality requires committed and accountable leadership.
Also speaking at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, advocated the introduction of a universal child benefit scheme to support vulnerable households.
“The child is the most honest measure of any society. When a child is hungry, the future is hungry,” he said.
Jibrin said direct support to families could improve child nutrition, boost school attendance and help reduce child labour and early marriage.
A representative of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed, highlighted persistent inequalities in access to basic services and called for stronger implementation of social protection policies.
She said more robust safety nets were needed to help families cope with economic hardship, insecurity and climate-related challenges.
At the end of the meeting, governors from the North-West pledged to prioritise poverty reduction through increased funding, stronger coordination and expanded social protection programmes across the region.
