Author name: Umar Idris Shuaibu

The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to implementing robust social protection programmes aimed at supporting the most vulnerable segments of its population. This assurance was given during the day-two session of the Social Protection Technical Working Group (TWG) Review Meeting held in Kano, with key stakeholders from government ministries, civil society, development partners, and the media in attendance. Speaking at the meeting, the Director General of the Kano State Social Protection Agency (KASPA), Dr. Fatima Abdul Abubakar, said the current administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is deeply committed to scaling up interventions in areas such as health, education, nutrition, agriculture, and water resources. Related: UNICEF, KASPA Forge Stronger Ties to Improve Social Protection Outcomes in Kano “With the establishment of KASPA, we are now better positioned to coordinate all social protection interventions across line MDAs. Our goal is to ensure every programme is implemented with strong synergy and shared responsibilities to maximize impact,” Dr. Fatima stated. She emphasized that the agency is working in close collaboration with development partners like UNICEF, civil society organizations, and the media to raise awareness and promote accountability in the delivery of services. Also speaking, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Budget, Abdulmumin Ladan Ajumawa, explained that the session was focused on reviewing and updating the existing social protection framework enacted in 2021. “The law passed by the State Assembly and signed by the Governor requires periodic updates. This review allows us to identify gaps and incorporate new priorities that were not captured in the original 2020 draft,” he said. He noted that the Kano State Social Register has grown to cover over 1.7 million households, with more than 7 million individuals recorded as potential beneficiaries of government support and donor-funded programmes. Ajumawa called on philanthropists and humanitarian organizations to make use of the verified data within the social register to provide targeted interventions that can help reduce poverty. He highlighted some challenges affecting implementation, including limited public awareness, weak coordination among MDAs, inadequate funding, and data validation issues. However, he assured that KASPA and its partners are actively addressing these concerns. Read Also: VaxSocial Launches Digital Immunization Campaign in Kano “We are now validating beneficiaries’ National Identification Numbers (NIN), account details, and phone numbers to ensure transparency and accountability in the system,” he said. He added that funding prioritization is already underway, with the current government exceeding its initial 10% budgetary allocation to social protection efforts. Additionally, community engagement and media sensitization are being scaled up to highlight social protection as a life-cycle intervention, from pregnancy, through early childhood, and into adulthood. In a technical presentation titled “Child-Sensitive Social Protection (CSSP): Gaps and Opportunities,” the Secretary of the Technical Working Group (TWG), Dalhatu Danladi who is from the Ministry of Planning and Budget outlined key achievements recorded under Kano State’s existing social protection framework. However, he emphasized that significant challenges remain in fully realizing the state’s social protection goals. He advocated for the regular update and effective utilization of the State Social Register (SSR) to ensure more accurate targeting of beneficiaries. Addressing institutional gaps, Danladi highlighted the urgent need for capacity-building initiatives and a strong legislative framework to support policy implementation. He also stressed the importance of enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, especially across line Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and development partners and media. Additionally, he underscored the need to align Kano’s efforts with national social protection strategies to promote greater impact. The two-day session was developed with the full engagement of the media and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), whose contributions played a critical role in identifying implementation gaps and proposing strategies to strengthen social protection delivery in the state. Social protection refers to a set of policies and programmes designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability by improving livelihoods and access to essential services. It includes social safety nets, cash transfers, child welfare, and access to basic healthcare and education. In Nigeria, the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) provides a national framework, and Kano is among the leading states to have domesticated the policy and passed its own Social Protection Law. The ongoing TWG review, supported by UNICEF Kano Field Office, aims to strengthen coordination and improve programme delivery across the state, ensuring that no one is left behind. Photo News: Stakeholders and participants during group work

Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to piloting all packages of social protection programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of poor and vulnerable children across the state. The Director General of the Kano State Social Protection Agency (KASPA), Dr. Fatima Abdul Abubakar, made this known during a Social Protection Technical Working Group (TWG) Review Meeting held today in Kano. Dr. Fatima expressed the agency’s readiness to work in collaboration with key stakeholders including the UNICEF Kano Field Office, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and the media to effectively implement projects that address poverty, child malnutrition, and other pressing issues affecting children. Read Also: VaxSocial Launches Digital Immunization Campaign in Kano She highlighted the importance of the universal child grant initiative and emphasized the need for direct cash transfers to parents or caregivers, particularly those whose children are not attending school, to ease the burden of multi-dimensional poverty. “Children between the ages of 1 and 8 need targeted support. Providing cash transfers through the social register can reduce their suffering,” she said. “We also propose setting up a task force to monitor the delivery of social services and ensure proper implementation and utilization.” In his remarks, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Budget, Abdulmumin Ladan Ajumawa, stated that the session aimed to enhance coordination among various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) implementing social protection initiatives in Kano. He explained that the review is crucial, as the Kano Social Protection Policy, established in 2021, is now five years old. “There is a need to reassess the document, identify existing gaps, and integrate new ideas that will enhance implementation and coordination,” he said. Ajumawa commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for prioritizing social protection efforts. “This administration is determined to improve coordination and synergy among all MDAs to avoid duplication and ensure that every allocated fund is fully utilized for the benefit of the intended beneficiaries,” he added. He noted that billions of naira have been invested in the past without commensurate outcomes due to poor coordination. “Now, we are focused on measurable outputs, outcomes, and eventually the impact,” he said. Also speaking, the Co-Chair of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Salisu Yusuf, urged members of the TWG to assess implementation based on budgetary allocations across MDAs and familiarize themselves with ongoing interventions to contribute meaningfully to their progress. The two-day engagement, supported by UNICEF Kano Field Office, brings together civil servants from relevant MDAs and CSOs involved in social protection efforts to strategize, evaluate progress, and contribute to policy refinement for the benefit of the state. Photo news: