By Garba Sidi
On Monday night, 27th January 2025, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Sports and Information announced to journalists that the State Executive Council approved the sum of ₦4.8 billion for the 2025 Ramadan Feeding Program.
An estimated 2022 population survey indicated that Jigawa State has approximately 7,499,100 people, making it the eighth-largest state by population. Of this population, 45.2% are below the age of 15, while 49% are between 15 and 59. Females constitute the majority at 50.4%, compared to 49.6% males. Understanding these demographic trends is critical for addressing the state’s challenges.
I oppose the State Council’s move because the state has many pressing issues that require far greater government attention than a Ramadan feeding program. These funds would be better spent addressing healthcare and education problems.
According to the National Mass Education Programme Initiative (NMPI 2022), over half of the children (51.1%) aged 6–15 in Jigawa State do not attend school. Additionally, Jigawa is one of the poorest states in Nigeria, with a poverty rate of 87.02%, reflecting severe challenges across economic, health, and education sectors.
To clarify the situation for Jigawa residents, we must examine how last year’s Ramadan feeding program was conducted. As the Commissioner for Sports and Information stated, the state government contributed 55% of the program’s funding, while local governments covered 45%.
Jigawa has 27 local governments, each grappling with dozens of unresolved issues. Their grants are insufficient to address even a quarter of these problems, and their chairpersons have done little tangible work for the people’s well-being. If 45% of local government funds are diverted to Ramadan feeding, I doubt they will even have enough to pay workers’ salaries.
Last year, 609 centres distributed food (Kosai [bean cake], Kunu [porridge], and Kolo rice) during Ramadan. This year, the government intends to increase the number of centres to 630, with each centre providing meals for 300 people daily. Multiplying 300 by 630 results in a total of 189,000 people fed each day. Over 20 days, this programme would reach 3,780,000 people.
Let us compare this to the approximate population of each local government and the number of beneficiaries:
Dutse 400,000
Hadejia 350,000
Kazaure 300,000
Ringim 280,000
Gumel 270,000
Birnin Kudu 250,000
Kafin Hausa 240,000
Gwaram 230,000
Jahun 220,000
Gagarawa 210,000
Maigatari 200,000
Babura 190,000
Guri 180,000
Kiri Kasama 170,000
Auyo 160,000
Malam Madori 150,000
Gwiwa 140,000
Yankwashi 130,000
Taura 120,000
Roni 110,000
Sule Tankarkar 100,000
Garki 90,000
Buji 80,000
Kaugama 70,000
Birniwa 60,000
Kiri Kasamma 50,000
Miga 40,000
If this huge amount of money were budgeted for healthcare or education, all Jigawa residents would benefit. Everyone falls ill at some point, and education is essential for ensuring our children live as dignified humans—not animals.
Garba Sidi wrote via sidihadejia@gmail.com.