Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has advocated that tackling poverty, unemployment and social inequality is essential to addressing the root causes of insecurity and instability across the country.

Zulum spoke yesterday in Maiduguri, at the official launch of the $1 billion (approximately N1.4 trillion) Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project (HOPE-SP), themed: “From Palliative to Pathways,” organised by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

The programme was unveiled by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.

The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative, describing it as a critical intervention capable of tackling some of the underlying socio-economic drivers of insecurity and insurgency in Nigeria.

He added that poverty, illiteracy and social inequality are among the root causes of insurgency and insecurity in various parts of the world, including Nigeria, adding that military and other kinetic measures alone cannot fully end insurgency.

“The kinetic measures alone will not end the insurgency. Addressing the socio-economic and political dimensions of the crisis is critical to addressing insecurity challenges in Nigeria,” Zulum said.

He assured the Federal Government that subnational governments would provide the necessary support to help the programme achieve its objectives.

The Governor however identified poor implementation, particularly flawed beneficiary selection, as one of the major challenges confronting social intervention programmes worldwide.

He urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and its implementing agencies to ensure beneficiaries are selected using clearly defined vulnerability criteria that promote transparency, inclusivity and fairness.

“I want to call upon the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure that targeted beneficiaries are selected based on certain vulnerability criteria that will ensure inclusivity,” he said.

Governor Zulum, therefore congratulated the Federal Government, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and the implementing agencies for the initiative, expressing optimism that it would make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.

The HOPE-SP programme is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection system by shifting from short-term palliative interventions to sustainable pathways out of poverty.

Speaking on behalf of Nigerian governors, Zulum stressed that lasting peace and security require interventions that go beyond immediate humanitarian assistance to address the underlying conditions that leave individuals and communities vulnerable.