The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has called for urgent and long-term action to address poverty and inequality in the North-West.
According to him, no child’s future should be determined by the circumstances of their birth.
He made the statement while delivering a keynote address at the High-Level North-West Policy Dialogue held in Kano State, where he urged leaders to focus on practical solutions rather than speeches and promises.
“The measure of any society is found in how it expands opportunity and protects the vulnerable. No child’s future should be foreclosed by the poverty of their birth.”
Sanusi warned that poverty in the region remains deeply rooted and is reflected in poor education outcomes, weak health systems, and high levels of child malnutrition and unemployment.
He said addressing the crisis requires strong political commitment and consistent investment in people, especially children and young people.
Among his key recommendations was a call for the creation of a long-term social investment framework in each state, with protected budget lines for health, education, social protection, and youth development.
He also proposed a minimum social package that guarantees basic services for citizens at different stages of life, from early childhood to adulthood.
Sanusi stressed the importance of early childhood development, saying the first years of life are critical to a child’s future learning and wellbeing.
He urged states to invest more in nutrition, early learning, and parental support, adding that what happens in those early years determines what a child becomes.”
The Emir also recommended stronger programmes for out-of-school children, adult literacy, and youth skills development to reduce unemployment and improve livelihoods.
He further called for better use of traditional institutions in community data gathering and programme delivery, saying they are closer to the people and understand local needs better.
Sanusi also pushed for improved accountability, urging governments in the region to publish results of social investments and track progress annually.
He warned that without honest leadership and sustained action, poverty in the region would continue to deepen and affect future generations.
No child’s future should be defined by poverty – Emir Sanusi