Poverty Fueling Insecurity in Northern Nigeria, Says Governor Uba Sani
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has raised the alarm over the rising insecurity in Northern Nigeria, attributing it primarily to widespread poverty and unemployment.
The governor made the remarks during the Kaduna Economic and Financial Inclusion Summit (KEFIS), where he stressed that addressing economic deprivation is essential to curbing the violence plaguing the region.
Speaking to journalists, Governor Sani stated, “The North-West crisis has to do with banditry and kidnapping; it is an economic problem. The root cause is poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education and financial services.”
The governor pointed out that a significant portion of the population in Northern Nigeria live below the poverty line, with millions of young people out of school and lacking job opportunities.
This dire situation, he said, is fueling the surge in criminal activities such as banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
In response, the Kaduna State Government has launched several initiatives aimed at tackling these challenges head-on:
Skills Acquisition and Vocational Training: Centers have been established in Rigachikun, Samaru Kataf, and Soba to provide training in vocational and technological skills such as welding, automotive mechatronics, artificial intelligence, and ICT. These centers aim to train at least 1,600 youths annually to boost employment and reduce crime.
Financial Inclusion Drive: Governor Sani recently signed an Executive Order to integrate around 2.5 million unbanked residents into the formal financial sector. The initiative includes opening bank accounts, offering financial literacy training, and encouraging digital transactions to improve economic participation.
Support for Small Businesses: The state has rolled out a ₦4.2 billion relief fund to support over 4,000 small businesses and vulnerable households. Through the Kaduna State Enterprise Development Agency (KADEDA), more than 8,600 micro and nano businesses have received grants ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦300,000.
Governor Sani emphasized that his administration is committed to implementing non-kinetic strategies to address the root causes of insecurity. “Military force alone cannot resolve the crisis. We must focus on good governance, economic empowerment, and inclusive development to bring lasting peace to our communities,” he said.
He also called on other Northern governors to adopt similar approaches, warning that failure to tackle poverty would only deepen insecurity and hinder development across the region.
As the region continues to grapple with security challenges, the Kaduna State Government’s multi-pronged approach could serve as a model for sustainable peace-building and economic recovery in Northern Nigeria.
