The figures, drawn from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index and UNICEF Nigeria’s 2024 reports, paint a stark picture of child poverty in the state, where 65.4% of children aged 0–17 live in multidimensional poverty.
In response to the crisis, the Katsina State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), launched a two-day workshop for all 34 local government chairmen. The initiative aims to develop data-driven strategies to address child poverty and improve the well-being of vulnerable families.
Governor Dikko Umar Radda, speaking at the opening of the workshop on Monday, described the event as “a significant step in our collective resolve to uplift the lives of children and vulnerable families across Katsina State.”
“Good governance is not only about policies and projects,” Radda said, “but about improving the quality of life of every citizen, particularly our children, who represent the very soul and future of our state.”
The governor emphasized that child poverty in Katsina “goes beyond the absence of income,” noting that it includes deprivation in education, health, nutrition, and opportunities.
According to UNICEF’s 2024 findings, about 61.2% of children in Katsina live in monetary poverty, while 51.3% suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition. Only 41% of children are immunized, and one in three primary school-age children remains out of school.
“These figures highlight the urgent need for strategic, data-driven action to combat child poverty and improve human development outcomes across the state,” Radda added.
