The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, has strongly advocated for the implementation of a Universal Child Benefit, describing it as a transformative tool capable of breaking the cycle of multidimensional poverty across Nigeria, particularly in the North-West region.
Speaking at a high-level policy dialogue on social protection, Senator Barau commended the collaborative efforts of the North-West Governors’ Forum, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and key international development partners including the European Union, UNICEF, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the World Bank for pushing the initiative to the forefront of national policy.
In his address, Senator Barau emphasized that a structured child benefit system targeting children between the ages of zero and twelve could provide predictable financial support to vulnerable families. This intervention, he noted, is critical to improving child nutrition, boosting school enrolment, and tackling the root causes of child labour and early marriage.
“The child is the most honest measure of any society,” Senator Barau stated. “When a child is hungry, the future is hungry; when a child is out of school, the nation is out of position; when a child is denied healthcare, the economy pays in weakened human capital.”
Barau pointed out that the North-West region faces unique, layered challenges ranging from insecurity and climate shocks to economic displacement, making the case for the child benefit exceptionally urgent. He urged that the program be explicitly linked to broader healthcare, education, nutrition, and civil registration networks to turn vulnerability into resilience.
Senator Barau highlighted the rich historical traditions of community care in the North-West, calling for a strategic integration of Islamic social finance mechanisms like Zakat (almsgiving) and Waqf (endowments) into modern social protection strategies.
“We must modernise their administration, strengthen public trust, and connect them to measurable social outcomes, joining tradition with technology, transparency, and policy discipline,” he said, adding that while international partners offer invaluable support, the ultimate ownership and leadership of the region’s future must come from within the North-West itself.
Challenging the political leadership present at the event, the lawmaker insisted that the dialogue must yield concrete actions rather than symbolic gestures. He demanded a clear financing commitment framework, structured budgetary pathways, timelines, and monitoring systems to ensure that households feel the direct impact of the policies.
Specifically, the Deputy Senate President called for:
A signed financing framework outlining exactly where resources will come from and how they will be protected.
A unified tracking mechanism to monitor implementation progress across all states.
A coordinated platform for development partners to prevent duplication of efforts and maximize efficiency.
Senator Barau concluded by conveying the solid assurances of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reaffirming that the federal government remains fully committed to working alongside state governments, traditional and religious rulers, and communities to establish a sustainable social protection system.
“The President understands that hope must be organised, financed, delivered, and measured,” Barau affirmed, expressing optimism that the dialogue would serve as a genuine turning point for the human capital development and economic enterprise of the North-West.
