Why Social Protection Is Central To Our Government, President Tinubu
From Muhammad Kabir, Kano
The Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, has said that, President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, is working for a Nigerian state which must work for the powerful and the powerless, the urban professional and the rural poor, the entrepreneur and the widow.
The Vice President said that is why social protection is central to the national development strategy of the Government and put it as a duty of a responsible state, the instrument through which they prevent vulnerability from becoming destitution and ensure that the poorest Nigerian is not abandoned to the accidents of birth, geography, conflict, climate, or market shocks.
The Vice President who was represented by the Deputy President of the Senate Senator Barau Jibrin at a High-Level North-West Policy Dialogue, with the theme, “Reducing Multidimensional Poverty through Innovative Financing and a Scaled Social Protection System,” at Kano Government House, Wednesday, said, “We must move from scattered interventions to durable systems, with a credible social register, transparent payment system, efficient delivery mechanism, and financing model that can survive political cycles”
He said, “we are gathered to confront one urgent question: how to lift millions from the prison of want, protect the vulnerable before tragedy knocks, and translate the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, into daily reality for the child in the village, the mother in the clinic, the farmer in the field, the trader in the market, and the displaced family waiting for the dignity of return.”
Shettima notes that the dialogue could not have come at a more consequential moment, when Poverty is no longer defined only by the absence of income. It is the child who cannot read at ten, 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.
“The North-West occupies a special place in Nigeria’s destiny. It is a demographic and economic powerhouse, a theatre of agricultural promise, commercial genius, industrial possibility, youthful energy, and distinguished entrepreneurs who have kept Nigeria on the map of commercial excellence.”
He added that, Yet the burden is grave: we inherited deprivations across health, education, nutrition, and income security; over 8 million children are out of school; maternal mortality remains frighteningly high; under-five mortality is painful; and child stunting affects more than half of our children in some communities. These are children with names, mothers with dreams, and families waiting for governance.
“At the heart of today’s conversation is the Universal Child Benefit. I commend the North-West Governors’ Forum, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the European Union, UNICEF, the ILO, the World Bank, and all our partners for bringing it to the centre of policy attention. Properly designed, it can transform our fight against multidimensional poverty by offering predictable support to families with children between zero and twelve, supporting nutrition, improving enrolment and retention, and reducing pressures that push children into labour, early marriage, and lifelong disadvantages”, he said.
The case is stronger in the North-West because the pressures are layered: poverty, insecurity, climate shocks, displacement, rising costs, fragile social services, and impossible choices. A predictable child benefit can become a bridge between vulnerability and resilience when linked to stronger health, education, nutrition, and civil registration systems.”
However he reminded that the North-West is uniquely placed to lead this conversation because it understands social obligation, the moral economy of community, and the Islamic traditions of care, charity, endowment, and shared responsibility. Zakat and Waqf have deep roots here, and we must modernise their administration, strengthen public trust, and connect them to measurable social outcomes, joining tradition with technology, transparency, and policy discipline.
“Our development partners have remained faithful friends, supporting Nigeria with technical assistance, financing, evidence, and institutional knowledge. But partnership cannot replace ownership; the future of the North-West must be led from the North-West.”
Speaking Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, represented by his Deputy Governor Murtala Sule Garo, said the North-West region is blessed with enormous human and economic potential. Yet, for this potential to translate into shared progress, they must adopt policies that are people-centered, inclusive, and sustainable.
” We must strengthen safety nets, empower vulnerable households, invest in human capital development, and create economic opportunities that enable citizens to move from dependency to productivity.
Today’s forum offers a strategic platform for governors, policymakers, development partners, financial institutions, and stakeholders to deliberate on practical solutions that can transform the lives of our people. It is an opportunity to forge stronger partnerships, exchange ideas, and build consensus around a regional agenda that places poverty reduction at the center of governance and development.”
He said Kano State firmly believes that social protection is not merely a welfare intervention; it is an investment in human dignity, social stability, and economic growth. Through collaborative action and innovative financing mechanisms, we can expand access to essential services, strengthen community capacity, and accelerate progress toward sustainable development.
“As leaders and stakeholders gathered here today, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that our policies and investments translate into measurable improvements in the lives of our citizens, especially women, children, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
