Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has identified poverty and economic exclusion as the primary drivers of insecurity in northern Nigeria, warning that the region will continue to face unrest unless these issues are addressed comprehensively.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television's 'Politics Today' on Sunday, Governor Sani emphasized that his administration has adopted a data-driven approach to tackle poverty and underdevelopment in the state.
"I came from the trenches. I fought successive governments in the past, during the military era. I went to detention a few times, fighting for justice and equality," Sani said, highlighting his background as an activist before entering politics.
The governor, who previously served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, revealed alarming statistics about the region's poverty levels when he assumed office in 2023.
"When I came in as governor, what I did was to look at the poverty index, not only in the state but of the entire North. I had the data, the statistics from the Development Department of the Central Bank, from the SDG. I can tell you, sitting here, the poverty index as of 2023, when we came in, was alarming," he explained.
Economic Exclusion and Vulnerability
According to Governor Sani, between 60 to 65 percent of people in the northern region, particularly in the North-West, were financially excluded when he took office. This economic marginalization, he noted, has made many young people vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups.
"This problem of insecurity, I can tell you, is largely an economic issue — poverty, unemployment. That is the reason why our people can easily be recruited by these bandits," Sani stated.
The governor also disclosed that when he took over in Kaduna State, over 350,000 children were out of school, contributing to the cycle of poverty and vulnerability to extremist recruitment.
Education Crisis
Sani highlighted the education crisis facing the region, citing recent discussions with World Bank officials and UNICEF statistics.
"Two months ago, I sat down with the Vice President of the World Bank. We looked at the UNICEF statistics. I can tell you — out of the 18.2 million out-of-school children today, the North is responsible for about 70% of that number," he revealed.
The governor acknowledged that progress is being made in addressing the out-of-school children crisis, with figures improving as the state government implements targeted interventions.
Call for Regional Unity
Governor Sani warned that solving the security crisis would require long-term commitment and realistic expectations. He reflected on years of policy neglect, admitting that the region failed to tackle the crisis earlier.
The governor urged Northern leaders to unite in purpose to tackle poverty and unemployment. He also identified infrastructural, educational, and healthcare deficits as major contributors to the region's poverty and subsequent security challenges.
As the security situation in northern Nigeria continues to evolve, Governor Sani's insights highlight the complex interplay between economic factors and insecurity, suggesting that sustainable solutions must address root causes rather than symptoms alone.
