Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has reiterated his administration’s commitment to poverty reduction, emphasizing the vital role of women in socio-economic development.

Speaking during the disbursement of N50,000 grants to 5,200 women across the state’s 44 local government areas, Yusuf described the initiative as a fulfillment of his 2023 campaign promise.

“We pledged to empower a significant number of women to help them become self-reliant, support their families, and contribute to society’s well-being,” the governor stated.

Launched in May 2024, the empowerment program has benefitted over 41,600 vulnerable women, providing seed funds for small-scale projects and reducing financial barriers.

“This program enables women to engage in entrepreneurship and become self-sufficient. Women’s role in nation-building cannot be overstated, and addressing poverty requires strategic investment in their economic empowerment,” Yusuf added.

Highlighting the state’s challenges, the governor referenced the 2022 Nigeria Multidimensional Poverty Index, which ranked Kano State above the national average, with 10.5 million residents classified as multidimensionally poor. In response, his administration has focused on policies addressing education access, food security, rural development, urban renewal, and job creation.

Yusuf urged beneficiaries to use the grants responsibly. “This capital is not a loan; it is a gesture from the government, free of any refund or tax. We believe you stand a better chance of creating wealth without debt. Invest wisely, and we hope to see many of you become employers of labor by next year,” he said.

He assured that provisions for similar social programs have been included in the 2025 budget to sustain the fight against poverty.