By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
To allow for a more realistic data, the governor of Sokoto state Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto has approved the conduct of a Poverty Index (MPI) Survey, scheduled to take place across the State from 19th June through 9th July 2025.
This survey aimed at generating actionable and reliable data for the government, would be conducted in collaboration with Redwire Marketing Consulting thus having a minimal financial burden on government, as confirmed by the state commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Mohammad Zayyana.
“This initiative will focus on critical areas such as education, healthcare, employment, standard of living, and access to essential services, providing key insights into poverty and inequality across the state”.
While noting that the survey aligns with Go 9-Point Smart Agenda of governor Ahmed Aliyu, the commissioner said doing so will directly support key priorities including security, economic development, education, healthcare, and youth empowerment.
“This will provide crucial insights into the root causes of deprivation at the household level and serve as a foundation for more targeted, evidence-based policies.
“The study will follow international best practices for poverty measurement, examining multiple dimensions including education, health and living standards to provide a holistic understanding of poverty conditions in Sokoto state”.
Continuing, the Budget commissioner said the initiative forms part of a broader push in the reform agenda of the State Bureau of Statistics instituted by his ministry.
Talking on the State Bureau of Statistics, Sokoto State Statistician General, Alh. Abdullahi Abdulrahman Shagari noted that, “the Bureau has been repositioned to deliver timely, relevant, and actionable statistics—such as those expected from the MPI Survey—to guide inclusive policy development and socioeconomic interventions”.
