Officials of the Kano State Social Protection Agency (KASPA), alongside key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), have embarked on 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, took place at the Manpower Development Training Centre in Dutse. It is aimed at strengthening programme delivery, enhancing institutional capacity, and adopting best practices to improve social protection systems in Kano State.
Jigawa State has gained recognition for transforming its social support initiatives into a legal framework—an approach that continues to yield measurable outcomes in reducing vulnerability and strengthening social safety nets.
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 emerged as a leading model in the design and implementation of social protection programmes.
He attributed the success to strong institutional structures and legal backing, noting that the domestication of the programme into law demonstrates the government’s commitment to sustainable poverty reduction and human capital development.
According to him, social protection has been fully integrated into the state’s development agenda and is coordinated through a functional Social Protection Council chaired by the Deputy Governor.
Gantsa also commended development partners, particularly UNICEF, for their sustained technical and financial support, which he described as critical to the programme’s success.
He disclosed that findings from an impact assessment revealed that over 70 per cent of beneficiaries use the support received to purchase food items, highlighting the programme’s direct contribution to food security.
He further noted that Jigawa’s food security index during the 2024 farming season surpassed the national average by 5.2 per cent, emphasizing the importance of aligning agricultural policies with social protection initiatives.
In her remarks, the Director-General of KASPA, Dr. Fatima Abubakar Abdullahi, expressed appreciation to the Jigawa State Government for the warm reception extended to the Kano delegation.
She described the visit as a reflection of strong inter-state collaboration and a shared commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable populations.
Dr. Abdullahi reaffirmed that KASPA, established in July 2025, is committed to implementing inclusive and comprehensive social protection programmes across Kano State.
She commended Jigawa State for setting a benchmark, citing strong political will, effective implementation, and solid institutional backing as key drivers of its success.
According to her, the study visit has provided practical insights and strategies that Kano State will leverage to strengthen its own social protection system.
She also acknowledged the support of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for establishing the agency and prioritizing 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 groups.
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 insights into the impact of the programme.