Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has committed to reducing the state’s poverty rate by 10% each year as part of his administration’s broader efforts to improve the economic well-being of residents.
Despite Nigeria’s strong position in Africa’s agricultural sector—producing significant quantities of cassava, yam, rice, oil palm, and sorghum—the northern region continues to grapple with high poverty levels. Experts attribute this disparity to the widespread reliance on traditional farming methods, which limit productivity and efficiency.
In response, the Jigawa State government has launched a comprehensive initiative designed to tackle poverty head-on. The program aims to benefit over 38,000 individuals across the state’s 27 local government areas.
Speaking on the initiative, the Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu Dan Gyatum, revealed that 75 million naira has been allocated to support local businesses, which are seen as key drivers of economic growth.
Governor Namadi highlighted that this initiative is a crucial part of his 12-point agenda focused on enhancing the livelihoods of Jigawa residents. Research consistently shows that agricultural development plays a vital role in reducing poverty in Nigeria, making this program a strategic move towards sustainable economic growth in the state.