By Moh’d Lawal Maikudi
The Government of Katsina Staye has invested over ₦70 billion in agricultural and reaffirmed its commitment to fighting poverty and strengthening social protection.
The reaffirmation was made by Mal Faruk Lawal Jobe, the Deputy Governor of Katsina State while speaking at the National Social Register Stakeholder Engagement held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos today.
At the high-level event themed “Advancing Social Protection Through the National Social Register: A Strategic Planning Tool for a Resilient Nigeria”, Jobe highlighted Katsina State’s bold initiatives aimed at driving inclusive development and reducing poverty across the state.
Hr revealed that the Radda-led administration has invested over ₦70 billion in agricultural mechanization, fertilizer distribution, and other critical inputs for farmers.
These efforts, he said, are designed to boost food security, create jobs, and improve livelihoods as part of the administration’s strategy to modernize farming and enhance productivity.
Malam Jobe added that the administration has provided direct support to families over the past two years, created 34,102 jobs, and recruited 7,325 teachers, deploying them across primary and secondary schools to strengthen education delivery.
He emphasized that healthcare remains central to Katsina State’s poverty reduction agenda, noting that the state now boasts the highest number of primary, secondary, and tertiary health institutions in Nigeria.
“Our goal is to ensure that every one of our 361 wards has a functional primary healthcare facility. So far, over 200 facilities have been upgraded, and we are on track to achieve full coverage by the end of next year,” he said.
The Deputy Governor praised the Federal Government for sustaining the National Social Register initiative and acknowledged the contributions of private-sector actors, including the Jordanian Human Foundation and several commercial banks, for supporting poverty alleviation and economic empowerment programs.
The Lagos engagement aimed to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection system by deepening understanding of the National Social Register (NSR) as a critical tool for targeting poverty.
It brought together stakeholders from states, federal agencies, and development partners to share experiences, exchange ideas, and scale up the implementation of social protection programs.
Katsina State’s successes in job creation, education, healthcare, and agricultural transformation were showcased as a model for other states, inspiring wider adoption of effective strategies to reach more Nigerians.
Malam Jobe concluded by reaffirming the administration’s resolve to build a more inclusive and resilient society.
“Our policies are designed to eradicate poverty, improve livelihoods, and complement the Federal Government’s efforts to create a better, more prosperous Nigeria,” he stated.
