President Kashim Shettima has revealed that more than eight million children in Nigeria’s North-West region are currently out of school, describing the figure as part of the severe multidimensional poverty confronting the region.
Shettima made the disclosure on Wednesday in a speech delivered on his behalf by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin at the North-West Policy Dialogue on reducing multidimensional poverty through innovative financing and a scaled social protection system, held in Kano.
According to the Vice President, the North-West occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s development agenda because of its population, economic potential and youthful workforce, yet continues to face significant challenges in education, healthcare, nutrition and income security.
“The burden is grave, we inherited deprivations across health, education, nutrition and income security; over eight 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,” he said.
Shettima stressed that poverty should no longer be measured solely by income levels, arguing that lack of access to education, healthcare, food and opportunities paints a more accurate picture of deprivation.
“Poverty 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 and a knowledge economy,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthening social protection programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable households and cushioning citizens against poverty, insecurity and economic shocks.
The Vice President also advocated the introduction of a Universal Child Benefit scheme, saying it could significantly improve child nutrition, increase school enrolment and reduce child labour and early marriage.
“The child is the most honest measure of any society. When a child is hungry, the future is hungry; when a child is out of school, the nation is out of position,” he added.
Shettima called on governors, policymakers, development partners and other stakeholders to move beyond policy discussions and implement practical interventions that would improve the welfare of children and vulnerable families across the North-West.
Over eight million North-West children out of school – Shettima