Enough of empty meetings, Inuwa Yahaya tells Northern leaders

Violent conflict in Northern Nigeria continues to exacerbate poverty and hinder economic recovery, according to a newly released report. The study, titled "Insecurity, Livelihoods and Welfare in Northern Nigeria," highlights how persistent violence—driven by Boko Haram, ISWAP, farmer-herder clashes, and banditry—is eroding the financial stability of households in the region. The report was presented during a high-level webinar held in Abuja, bringing together experts from academic institutions, think tanks, and international development organizations. It underscores the complex interplay between conflict and economic hardship, revealing that households exposed to these threats experience significant reductions in their spending power and overall well-being.

The findings draw on multiple data sets, including the Nigeria Living Standards Survey 2022/23, the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2024, and Armed Conflict Location and Event Data spanning from 2010 to 2025. These datasets, combined with extensive fieldwork conducted by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), provide a detailed analysis of how different forms of violence affect various regions differently. For instance, households in the North-East affected by Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks saw a reduction in expenditure per adult equivalent by up to 14 percent following violent incidents within two years prior to the survey. Additionally, conflict-related debts incurred since 2009 led to further expenditure losses of between eight and 13 percent.

In the North-Central region, where farmer-herder conflicts are prevalent, the report notes that near-poor households experienced the most severe impact, with a 14 percent decline in expenditure at the 60th percentile. This represents the largest single welfare effect observed in the study. Meanwhile, in the North-West, where banditry and kidnappings are rampant, moderately poor households faced expenditure losses ranging from four to 11 percent. Despite these challenges, the report emphasizes that livelihood diversification remains the most effective strategy for improving resilience against chronic poverty. However, only 13 percent of household heads in Northern Nigeria are currently engaged in such diversified income opportunities.

Education is identified as a crucial factor in enabling households to diversify their income sources. Yet, its benefits are less pronounced for women- and youth-headed households, which constitute nearly 29 percent of the population in the region. Experts participating in the webinar emphasized the need to integrate peace-building efforts with programs aimed at restoring livelihoods and creating economic opportunities. They called for the active involvement of traditional rulers and community leaders in peace initiatives, recognizing their pivotal role in maintaining local stability.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, chairman of the Northern States Governors' Forum (NSGF), has echoed similar concerns, calling for immediate and decisive action to address the escalating issues of insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment in Northern Nigeria. During a meeting with Northern traditional rulers, he criticized the lack of tangible outcomes from repeated policy discussions and urged leaders to prioritize practical solutions over empty rhetoric. He pointed out that approximately 86 million people in the North live in multidimensional poverty, and the region hosts the majority of the country's out-of-school children. According to him, this socio-economic neglect creates an environment conducive to the recruitment of vulnerable youth by criminal and extremist groups.

Yahaya proposed a multifaceted approach involving both military operations and socio-economic interventions to achieve lasting security. His suggestions included the creation of state police forces, increased investments in education and vocational training, youth empowerment initiatives, agricultural revival, and better support for security agencies. He also extended his condolences to the people of Katsina State after the assassination of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar by bandits, emphasizing that no one is truly secure unless everyone is protected.

Traditional rulers were highlighted as vital allies in the fight against insecurity, tasked with enhancing community vigilance and strengthening grassroots intelligence networks. Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State acknowledged the myriad challenges facing the region, including insecurity, poverty, youth unemployment, climate change effects, drug abuse, and recurring farmer-herder disputes. He praised the federal government's efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enhance security through improved military operations, intelligence sharing, and closer cooperation with state governments. As the situation continues to evolve, the focus remains on finding sustainable solutions that address both the symptoms and root causes of the crisis.