From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Kano State Social Protection Agency (KASPA), alongside other social protection Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), have commended Jigawa State government for the implementation of best Social Protection model in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by Director public enlightenment of the Agency, Alhaji Rabiu Ibrahim Khalil and made it available to news men.
According to the statement, the commendation was made when the team from the Agency paid a learning visit to Jigawa State to understudy its social protection programmes and implementation framework.
The visit, facilitated by the Jigawa State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, was held at the man power development Training Centre in Dutse.
It forms part of efforts to strengthen programme delivery, enhance institutional capacity, and adopt best practices in Kano State.
Jigawa State Government’s bold step in transforming its social support programme into law continues to yield positive outcomes, reducing vulnerability and strengthening social safety nets across the state.
Speaking during the engagement, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Babangida Umar Gantsa—represented by the State Statistician-General, Dr. Jamilu Garba—said Jigawa has distinguished itself as a leading model in the design and implementation of social protection programmes, anchored on strong institutional and legal frameworks.
He explained that the domestication of the programme into law reflects the government’s commitment to sustainable poverty reduction and human capital development.
According to him, social protection is now fully integrated into the state’s development agenda, supported by a functional Social Protection Council chaired by the Deputy Governor to ensure effective coordination and service delivery.
Gantsa also commended development partners, particularly UNICEF, for their sustained technical and financial support, noting that such contributions have been critical to the programme’s success.
Highlighting findings from an impact assessment, he revealed that over 70 per cent of beneficiaries utilise the support received to purchase food items, underscoring the programme’s direct contribution to food security
.He added that Jigawa’s food security index during the 2024 farming season exceeded the national average by 5.2 per cent, stressing the importance of aligning agricultural policies with social protection initiatives.
In her remarks, the Director-General of KASPA, Dr. Fatima Abubakar Abdullahi, expressed profound appreciation to the Jigawa State Government for the warm reception and hospitality extended to the Kano delegation.
She noted that the gesture reflects a strong spirit of collaboration and a shared commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable citizens.
Dr. Abdullahi reaffirmed that KASPA, established in July 2025, remains committed to implementing comprehensive and inclusive social protection initiatives across Kano State.
She commended Jigawa for setting a benchmark in social protection, attributing its success to strong political will, effective implementation, and solid institutional backing.
According to her, the study visit has provided valuable insights and practical strategies that Kano State will adopt in strengthening its own social protection system.
She also appreciated the Kano State Government under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for establishing the agency and supporting interventions targeted at the poor and vulnerable
.
Earlier, representatives of key agencies, including the State Emergency Management Agency and the Agency for Persons with Special Needs, presented papers on improving the welfare of vulnerable populations.
Other contributors at the session included the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Hannafi Yakubu Fagam; the Executive Secretary of the Agency for Persons with Special Needs, Alhaji Saleh Zakari Kafin Hausa; and a UNICEF representative, Hajiya Fatima Musa
.
The delegation later visited Kantanga town in Kiyawa Local Government Area, where they interacted with beneficiaries to gain firsthand insight into the impact of the programme.
