Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has identified poverty and economic marginalization as fundamental drivers of insecurity in northern Nigeria, warning that the region will continue to experience instability if these issues are not addressed comprehensively.
Speaking on Channels Television�s Sunday Politics program, Governor Sani highlighted the alarming levels of financial exclusion in the North, particularly the North-West, which he said made many youths vulnerable to recruitment by militant groups. He noted that upon assuming office, over 60-65% of people in the region were financially excluded.
Despite the challenges, Governor Sani expressed optimism for the nation’s economic future. He also revealed that over 350,000 children were out of school in Kaduna State when he took office.
�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, emphasizing his commitment to addressing the root causes of the region�s problems.
He attributed the insecurity problem to economic issues, stating, �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.�
Governor Sani also highlighted the severity of the out-of-school children crisis in the North, saying, �Out of the 18.2 million out-of-school children today, the North is responsible for about 70% of that number.� He added that his administration is gradually addressing the problem.
He cautioned that resolving the crisis will require long-term commitment and realistic expectations, acknowledging the region’s past policy neglect. �Things are getting better, but nobody can tell you we can address this problem even in the next ten years � and I will tell you why. Because I�m a very realistic person. This problem didn�t start two years ago. It started many years back because we were docile. We did not approach the issue holistically. We had the opportunity to push in the past � but we didn�t do it,� he said.
Governor Sani stressed the need for Northern leaders to unite in tackling poverty and unemployment, emphasizing that a purely kinetic approach to insecurity is insufficient. �We cannot win insecurity through a kinetic approach, nor through giving people palliatives. We must look at the drivers and symptoms. We have to address the gap in terms of economic prosperity between our people in urban areas and those in rural communities,� he said.
He identified infrastructural, educational, and healthcare deficits as major contributors to the region�s poverty. �When you look at some areas in the North-West, you�d agree that there is a lot of poverty. We have a lot of deficits in terms of infrastructure, education, healthcare, and many other basic issues,� Sani said.
On local security efforts, Governor Sani reported a noticeable reduction in violence in Kaduna State, particularly in farmer-herder and religious crises. However, he emphasized that citizens� trust in the government hinges on equity and justice. �People will only believe in the government when there is justice and fairness. We are not saying that things are not really bad, but there is progress,� he said.
