Poverty, Illiteracy in North-West: ‘Let’s prioritise actions over announcements’ – Emir Sanusi

By Hadiza Yusuf

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has urged leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive steps to address the growing challenges of poverty, poor educational outcomes, and inadequate healthcare services affecting millions across Nigeria’s North-West region.

Speaking at a high-level policy dialogue held in Kano on Wednesday, Sanusi stressed the need for leaders to acknowledge the difficult realities confronting the region if meaningful development is to be achieved.

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

According to the Emir, years of interventions have failed to significantly improve living conditions for many communities, with widespread poverty, limited access to quality education, and weak healthcare infrastructure still prevalent across the region.

He warned that progress would remain elusive unless leaders are willing to confront uncomfortable truths and implement practical solutions.

Sanusi also criticized what he described as a tendency to make promises without delivering tangible results.

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

He emphasized that policies should produce measurable improvements in the lives of citizens rather than remain mere declarations.

The monarch further noted that reducing poverty and inequality requires committed leadership and sustained investment in key sectors, particularly education and healthcare.

Shettima Calls for Universal Child Benefit

Also addressing the gathering, Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, represented by Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin, advocated the introduction of a Universal Child Benefit programme 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.

He explained that direct assistance to families would help improve child nutrition, boost school attendance, and reduce incidences of child labour and early marriage.

UNICEF Seeks Stronger Policy Implementation

Meanwhile, UNICEF representative, Wafaa Saeed, underscored the importance of effective policy implementation, noting that unequal access to essential services remains a major concern in the North-West.

She called for stronger social protection measures to help households withstand economic difficulties, insecurity, and climate-related pressures.

At the conclusion of the meeting, governors from the North-West region agreed that combating poverty must be treated as an urgent priority.

They pledged to increase funding, enhance collaboration, and expand social welfare programmes aimed at improving the lives of people across the region.

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