Shettima calls for Universal Child Benefit to tackle poverty in Nigeria

The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, has called for the introduction of a Universal Child Benefit as part of efforts to tackle multidimensional poverty across the country, especially in the North-West region.

He made the call on Wednesday at the High-Level North-West Policy Dialogue held in Kano State, where he was represented by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin.

According to him, poverty is no longer just about lack of income, but about deprivation in education, health, nutrition, and opportunities for children and families.

“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; when a child is denied healthcare, the economy pays in weakened human capital,” he said.

He warned that over eight million children in Nigeria are still out of school, adding that the situation continues to threaten the country’s human capital development.

The Vice President said the proposed Universal Child Benefit would provide predictable financial support to families with children, helping to improve school enrolment, nutrition, and child welfare.

He noted that the policy would also reduce pressures that push children into labour, early marriage, and long-term poverty.

He also called for a reliable social register, transparent payment systems, and stronger coordination between federal and state governments to ensure effective delivery.

According to him, the North-West faces multiple challenges, including poverty, insecurity, displacement, and climate shocks, which make coordinated intervention even more urgent.

He further urged leaders to ensure that agreements from the dialogue are backed by clear financing plans and measurable actions.

“The measure of our leadership will not be the elegance of our speeches, but the number of children whose lives are changed by our decisions,” he said.

He assured that the Federal Government remains committed to working with states, development partners, and traditional institutions to build a sustainable social protection system that protects vulnerable Nigerians.

Also speaking, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, called on leaders in the North-West to be honest about the region’s challenges.

According to him, progress will only come when leaders confront the truth about poverty, education, health, and governance failures.

Sanusi said the region must stop pretending about its realities and instead confront the data on poverty and human development head-on.

According to him, “The measure of any society is how it expands opportunity, protects the vulnerable, and ensures that no child’s future is foreclosed by the poverty of their birth.”

He warned that despite some progress in certain areas, the North-West still carries the heaviest burden of poverty and inequality in the country.

He noted that poverty levels in the zone remain extremely high, with some states recording multidimensional poverty rates above 90 per cent.

Earlier, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, warned that Nigeria cannot achieve real development or prosperity while many families still struggle to meet basic needs such as food, education, and healthcare.

She stressed that the problem of poverty in the North-West and across the country requires stronger action on implementation, not just policy discussions.

She said government efforts alone are not enough to tackle the scale of the problem and called for stronger domestic financing, increased private sector involvement, and deeper partnerships with development actors.

“While governments play a central role, private sector investment is also critical, especially in creating jobs and supporting skills development for young people.

“A well-designed social safety net should not only provide temporary relief but also help families become more resilient and move out of poverty,” she added.

Shettima calls for Universal Child Benefit to tackle poverty in Nigeria