By Hadiza Yusuf
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has raised concerns over the rising levels of poverty, poor education, and weak healthcare systems affecting millions of people in Nigeria’s North-West region.
Speaking at a high-level policy dialogue held in Kano on Wednesday, Sanusi said leaders must confront the harsh realities facing the region if meaningful progress is to be achieved.
“We must tell ourselves the truth,” he said.
According to him, despite years of interventions, many communities across the North-West are still struggling with deep poverty, limited access to quality education, and inadequate healthcare services.
He warned that progress would remain slow if leaders continue to avoid difficult conversations and fail to take real action.
Sanusi also cautioned against what he described as a culture of empty promises, where announcements are made without concrete results.
“Leaders must resist substituting announcements for action,” he said.
He stressed the need for policies that translate into real improvements in people’s lives.
The Emir emphasised that addressing poverty and inequality requires sincere leadership and sustained investment in critical sectors such as education and health.
Also speaking at the event, Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, called for the introduction of a Universal Child Benefit to support vulnerable families.
“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 support to families would help improve child nutrition, keep children in school, and reduce cases of child labour and early marriage.
Meanwhile, a representative of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed, highlighted the need for stronger implementation of policies, noting that inequality in access to basic services remains a major challenge in the region.
She called for stronger social protection systems to help families cope with economic hardship, insecurity, and climate-related challenges.
At the end of the meeting, North-West governors agreed that tackling poverty must be treated as an urgent priority.
They pledged to improve funding, strengthen coordination, and expand social protection programmes across the region.
