The Director-General of the Kano Social Protection Agency (KASPA), Dr. Fatima Abubakar, has unveiled an eight-point strategic plan to strengthen and expand social protection (SP) programmes in Kano State.
Presenting the plan at a two-day first-quarter joint SP Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting in Kaduna—organised by UNICEF Kano Field Office for participants from Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa—Abubakar said the initiative aims to improve the welfare of vulnerable citizens.
The plan forms part of a joint action framework agreed upon by stakeholders to drive priority social protection reforms over the next six to 12 months. It clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of participating agencies and provides mechanisms for sustained inter-state coordination.
Key priorities of the plan include:
- Strengthening institutional coordination: An inter-state coordination framework will be established, with quarterly TWG meetings and unified reporting templates to enhance collaboration among state SP agencies.
- Improving SP financing: Dedicated budget lines will be introduced, Islamic social finance instruments such as Zakat and Waqf mobilised, and public-private partnerships (PPP) and donor support explored.
- Scaling up the Universal Child Benefit (UCB): Pilot expansions in selected local government areas will strengthen targeting systems and integrate child-sensitive indicators in collaboration with partners including UNICEF and the National Social Investment Programme.
- Enhancing social registries and data systems: Social registers will be updated and harmonised, digital data systems deployed, and beneficiary targeting improved with support from ICT units and the National Social Register Office.
- Strengthening monitoring, evaluation, and accountability: Key performance indicators will be developed, periodic reviews conducted, and feedback and grievance redress systems enhanced with civil society support.
- Incorporating climate-responsive and child-sensitive approaches: SP policies will align with climate adaptation strategies, and interventions to improve child welfare will be expanded in partnership with the ministries of environment and development partners.
- Boosting stakeholder engagement and public awareness: Advocacy campaigns, community leader engagement, and improved communication strategies will be implemented in collaboration with civil society groups and media organisations.
- Capacity building and institutional strengthening: SP personnel will receive training, peer learning visits will be conducted, and operational guidelines developed to support programme implementation.
Abubakar said the joint action plan will be supported through shared reporting platforms, joint financing task teams, technical support platforms, and knowledge-sharing initiatives among participating states.
She added that the initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration, improve programme delivery, and ensure that social protection interventions reach the most vulnerable populations across the region.
