Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Sokoto State Government has approved a ₦1 billion allocation for its 2026 Ramadan feeding programme, aimed at providing daily meals to vulnerable residents throughout the holy month. This development is part of a structured social welfare initiative announced by Governor Ahmed Aliyu, according to multiple verified news reports.
Government officials said the Ramadan programme is designed to deliver approximately 34,000 meals daily to low‑income households and other vulnerable groups across the state. Authorities increased the number of feeding centres from 155 to 170 to expand coverage and ease access for beneficiaries.
Governor Aliyu, who flagged off the programme at an event earlier in February, described the initiative as part of his administration’s broader social welfare efforts, which also include rehabilitation of mosques, support for religious bodies and encouragement of community participation. He emphasised that the feeding programme seeks to complement private and philanthropic contributions and urged religious organisations and the public to support ongoing relief efforts.
The state government said it has engaged ad‑hoc staff and put logistics in place to ensure the programme runs smoothly throughout Ramadan, with daily meals prepared and distributed under hygienic conditions. Officials also highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in making sure that the vulnerable are not left behind during the fasting period.
Sokoto State continues to grapple with entrenched socio‑economic challenges and insecurity. While official data on poverty rates vary, the region is widely recognised among northern Nigerian states for high levels of multidimensional poverty, driven by limited industrialisation, weak infrastructure, and recurrent violence linked to armed groups. Violence by bandit and extremist groups has led to fatalities and displacement in rural areas of the state.
Recent government responses to insecurity include village evacuations in communities threatened by suspected terrorist leaders, such as directives issued after reported threats to villagers in parts of the state earlier this year. Authorities have acknowledged the persistent threat from armed groups and have sought to combine security operations with welfare outreach.
In addition to the Ramadan feeding programme, the Sokoto State Government has undertaken other poverty‑alleviation measures, including cash transfers, livelihood grants and social cash transfer schemes targeted at economically vulnerable citizens. These efforts are intended to support households with direct financial assistance while complementing food security programmes and economic empowerment initiatives.
Governor Aliyu has also emphasised partnerships with federal agencies and community leaders to address structural poverty and build resilience through infrastructure, education and employment support, even as insecurity remains a pressing public concern.
At present, there are no verified reports from mainstream news outlets or official government communications that directly link the Ramadan feeding allocation to allegations of religious cash handouts to clerics as a standalone policy or that frame the allocation as inappropriate given socio‑economic conditions. Reports cited focus on the feeding programme’s mechanics and stated objectives to assist the vulnerable population during Ramadan.
Based on published coverage by recognised Nigerian news platforms, the ₦1 billion Ramadan feeding programme in Sokoto State represents an officially sanctioned welfare initiative rather than an unverified claim about cleric payments divorced from broader social support aims.
If subsequent official statements or investigative reporting emerge that provide greater detail on implementation, impact assessments on poverty or public debate around the policy priorities, further reporting should be undertaken to incorporate those verified developments.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments