The Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, has reiterated the state government’s commitment to eradicating poverty and strengthening social protection programmes.
Speaking at the National Social Register Stakeholder Engagement held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Monday, Jobe, who represented Governor Dikko Umaru Radda (PhD), said Katsina’s poverty reduction strategy is anchored on massive investments in agriculture, education, healthcare, and job creation.
The event, themed “Advancing Social Protection Through the National Social Register: A Strategic Planning Tool for a Resilient Nigeria”, brought together state officials, federal agencies, and development partners to chart a path for scaling up social protection nationwide.
Jobe disclosed that the Radda-led administration has injected over ₦70 billion into agricultural mechanization, fertilizer distribution, and other critical inputs for farmers. According to him, these interventions aim to boost food security, create jobs, and modernize farming across Katsina State.
Highlighting further achievements, the Deputy Governor said the government has created 34,102 jobs and recruited 7,325 teachers within two years. These teachers, he added, have been deployed across primary and secondary schools to strengthen learning outcomes.
Jobe emphasized that healthcare remains central to the administration’s anti-poverty drive. He revealed that Katsina now has the highest number of primary, secondary, and tertiary health institutions in Nigeria.
“Our goal is to ensure that all 361 wards in Katsina have a functional primary healthcare facility. So far, we have upgraded more than 200 centres and are on track to achieve full coverage by the end of next year,” he said.
The Deputy Governor commended the Federal Government for sustaining the National Social Register initiative and applauded private-sector actors such as the Jordanian Human Foundation and several commercial banks for supporting poverty alleviation and empowerment programmes.
Katsina State’s progress in agriculture, healthcare, and education was showcased at the Lagos forum as a model that could inspire other states. Participants shared ideas and experiences on scaling up the National Social Register as a strategic tool for poverty targeting.
Reaffirming the administration’s long-term vision, Jobe said:
“Our policies are designed to eradicate poverty, improve livelihoods, and complement the Federal Government’s efforts to build a more inclusive, prosperous Nigeria.”
