Over 89 percent of children in Jigawa State are living in multi-dimensional poverty, with 85.6 percent facing monetary poverty, according to a report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
This alarming statistic was revealed by the Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, during the launch of the Jigawa General Household Survey at the Government House banquet hall in Dutse. Farah, represented by Michael Banda, highlighted the urgent need for action from the 27 local government councils in the state to improve the conditions for affected children.

He stated, “89.4 percent of children experience monetary poverty, while 85.6 percent are multi-dimensionally poor, facing deprivation in at least three critical areas, including health, education, nutrition, water and sanitation, shelter, access to information, and child protection.”

UNICEF has called for immediate intervention to address the troubling levels of child poverty and ensure a brighter future for the children of Jigawa.

Farah added, “These figures show a sobering reality that children in Jigawa are deprived in multiple essential aspects of their lives. This underscores the urgent need for collective efforts to reduce child poverty and enhance their well-being.”

He also mentioned that significant strides have been made in strengthening systems to measure child poverty through the General Household Survey (GHS), and in developing important policies and action plans to address these issues. He emphasized that local government chairmen play a crucial role in using the evidence gathered for multisectoral planning and action to address child poverty in Jigawa.

UNICEF further emphasized that the challenges can be mitigated by strengthening collective efforts, ensuring that local government data is used effectively in decision-making, and designing structured social protection interventions targeting poor and vulnerable children.

The organization suggested measures such as the approval of an expanded social protection policy, the passage of a revised social protection bill, increased budget allocations for child-focused programs in sectors like health, education, and social protection, and a 30% increase in birth registration for children under five.

Farah congratulated the Jigawa State government and its people for the successful completion of the General Household Survey, which includes disaggregated data across the state’s 27 local government areas. He commended the initiative as a testament to the state government’s commitment to advancing child welfare and improving outcomes for vulnerable groups through evidence-based decision-making.

He concluded by acknowledging UNICEF’s strong partnership with the Jigawa State government in various sectors, including health, education, nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), child protection, and social protection.

In his address, Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi assured that his government would use the data collected by the State Bureau for Statistics to inform result-oriented and effective decision-making. He noted that the data highlights the state’s standing in key sectors and would serve as a critical tool for shaping future decisions.

Governor Namadi urged local governments, ministries, departments, and agencies to make use of the data to ensure the proper implementation of government policies and programs.