Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has pointed to poverty and economic exclusion as the primary catalysts of the rising insecurity in northern Nigeria. He further stressed that unless these issues are tackled comprehensively, the region will continue to grapple with unrest and violence.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Governor Sani shared his insights on the root causes of the escalating security situation in the northern region, stating, “This problem of insecurity is largely an economic issue – poverty, unemployment. That is the reason why our people can easily be recruited by these bandits.”

Governor Sani emphasized his personal connection to the struggles of the region, recounting his past involvement in political activism. “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,” he reflected.

A Data-Driven Approach to Poverty

Drawing from his experience as a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Sani highlighted the importance of data-driven solutions to combat poverty and underdevelopment. “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 was the chairman of the Committee on Banking. 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.

According to the governor, more than 60 to 65 percent of people in northern Nigeria—particularly in the North-West—were financially excluded when he assumed office. This economic marginalization, he noted, left many young people vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups.

Addressing Educational Challenges

Governor Sani also discussed the region’s significant educational deficit, revealing that more than 350,000 children were out of school when he took office. “Out of the 18.2 million out-of-school children today, the North is responsible for about 70% of that number,” he said, referencing UNICEF’s statistics. “There are improvements in taking out-of-school children; the figure is different, and we are addressing the problem gradually,” he added.

However, Sani cautioned that solving the crisis would take time, acknowledging years of policy neglect in the region. “This problem didn’t start two years ago. It started many years back because we were docile. We did not approach the issue holistically,” he remarked.

Call for Unity Among Northern Leaders

The governor also called for unity among northern leaders to address the root causes of poverty and unemployment. “The North needs to sit down and face this reality if we want to bring back the glory of our zone,” he said, expressing hope that current leaders are now on the same page.

In Sani’s view, the solution to insecurity lies not in quick fixes, such as military action or temporary relief efforts, but in addressing the deep economic divide between urban and rural areas. “We cannot win insecurity through a kinetic approach, nor through giving people palliatives. We must look at the drivers and symptoms,” he said.

Tackling Infrastructure Deficits

Sani also underscored the critical role of infrastructure, education, and healthcare in alleviating poverty. He pointed to significant deficits in these areas as major contributors to the region’s economic challenges. “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,” he explained.

Local Security Improvements

On a more optimistic note, Sani shared that security in Kaduna State has improved significantly. “Most of the crises we used to have were farmer-herder and religious crises. In the last two years, we have not experienced any. It’s not eradicated, but it has reduced tremendously,” he said.

However, Sani cautioned that trust in government institutions would only be restored when citizens experience fairness 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.

A Long Road Ahead

While acknowledging progress, Sani recognized that tackling insecurity and poverty in northern Nigeria will require long-term commitment and realistic expectations. He called on all levels of leadership to unite in their efforts to create a more prosperous future for the region.

In conclusion, the governor reiterated the importance of addressing economic disparities as a means to reduce insecurity, urging continued focus on tackling poverty, improving education, and closing the gap in basic services.