Social Protection: Gombe targets 15% poverty reduction by 2030

From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe

The Gombe State Government has set a target of reducing poverty in the state by 15 per cent by 2030 under its proposed Gombe State Social Protection Policy 2027–2030.

The policy is designed to establish a comprehensive, inclusive and shock-responsive social protection system aimed at reducing poverty and vulnerability, strengthening human capital and resilience, and improving access to basic services.

The target was contained in a presentation on the proposed policy delivered by Dr Ali Madina Dankumo of the Department of Economics and Development Studies, Federal University of Kashere, during a two-day validation workshop on the Gombe State Social Protection Policy, Implementation Plan and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Plan held in Gombe.

According to the policy, its vision is to build “a healthy, peaceful and prosperous State” with poverty reduced by 15 per cent by 2030, under the mantra, “Better Life for all residents.”

The policy identifies poverty and vulnerability as major challenges facing the state, citing high multidimensional poverty, multiple deprivations among children and households, rural disadvantages, food insecurity, economic shocks, climate events and insecurity.

It also recognises women, children, youths, persons with disabilities and older persons as groups requiring targeted interventions.

Under the proposed framework, social protection interventions will adopt a life-cycle approach, covering early childhood, school age, youth, working age and older persons.

For children, the policy proposes interventions covering nutrition, healthcare, sanitation, early learning and protection, while school-age children would benefit from education, nutrition, attendance, retention and protection programmes.

For youths, the focus would include skills development, employment, entrepreneurship and access to finance, while working-age residents would be targeted through decent work, livelihood opportunities and social insurance.

The policy also proposes income security, healthcare, assistance and social inclusion measures for older persons.

Among its major social assistance measures are cash and in-kind transfers, school feeding for pupils in Classes 1–3 in public primary schools, education and healthcare fee waivers, examination-fee support, scholarships and emergency relief.

The proposed policy further seeks to strengthen health insurance coverage, expand participation in GoHealth, improve pension arrangements and develop social protection mechanisms for informal-sector workers.

It also provides for agricultural inputs and agro-credit, entrepreneurship and MSME support, public works, skills development and incentives for private-sector employment.

The policy sets out 10 strategic objectives, including reducing poverty among vulnerable people, protecting households against shocks, improving food security and nutrition, promoting sustainable livelihoods, strengthening human capital and dignity, and improving coordination among intervention agencies.

However, the document acknowledges that the previous 2021–2026 policy cycle faced significant implementation challenges, including inconsistent implementation, inadequate and delayed funding, dependence on development partners, political interference in beneficiary selection, weak coordination and reporting among government agencies, programme duplication, weak monitoring and limited community participation.

To address these challenges, the new framework proposes stronger coordination among ministries, departments and agencies, local governments, communities, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, the private sector and philanthropists.

It also proposes strengthening the State Social Register and developing the Gombe State Social Protection Information Management System (GSPIMS) to improve beneficiary targeting, update information and integrate relevant registers.

On financing, the policy acknowledges that state budgetary resources alone may be insufficient. It therefore proposes mechanisms including a Social Protection Trust Fund, federal financial incentives, development-partner support, private-sector and philanthropic contributions, and special intervention funds for contingencies.

The policy’s implementation will also be subjected to annual performance reviews, mid-term and end-of-term evaluations, performance-based monitoring and budgeting, as well as beneficiary feedback and grievance mechanisms.

By 2030, the policy expects to contribute to poverty reduction and greater resilience, improved nutrition and human capital, diversified livelihoods, better protection against shocks, improved access to essential services and greater inclusion, dignity and rights.

The policy identifies adequate and timely funding, effective coordination, accurate beneficiary data, protection of vulnerable groups, transparency, grievance redress and citizen participation as critical to achieving its objectives.

The validation workshop, according to the presentation, is intended not merely to proofread or approve the policy but to determine whether it is appropriate, relevant, understandable, acceptable and implementable, particularly in terms of cost and political will.

Participants were therefore urged to identify areas requiring clarification, additions or removals, disagreements supported by evidence, and potential implementation challenges.

The proposed Gombe State Social Protection Policy 2027–2030 is ultimately intended to move the state from fragmented assistance programmes towards an integrated system that protects residents from shocks, invests in children and human capital, empowers households through livelihoods, and promotes rights, equity and inclusion.

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