UK to divert 60% of development assistance for Nigeria to North

• Written by  Christian Okeke -Abuja

UNITED Kingdom (UK) government is to triple its assistance to Nigeria but will henceforth channel 60% of such assistance to developing the northern part of the country.
Before arriving at the decision, the government said it observed that the region is home to 42 million people who still live under the national poverty line - 65% of the total across Nigeria.
The decision of the government to focus much of her assistance to the north was confirmed by the British Government Minister for International Development, Lynne Featherstone who visited Kano State on Wednesday to understand development challenges in Northern Nigeria and to review progress on development projects supported by the UK Department for International Development.
The minister emphasised that the UK was committed to supporting Nigeria as it worked to reduce poverty.
According to information gathered from the UK High Commission in Abuja, the minister noted that the UK welcomed Kano Government’s work to understand the challenges impeding growth and development and the paths to addressing them.
She said, “Northern Nigeria faces enormous development challenges. The region is home to 42 million people living under the national poverty line - 65% of the total across Nigeria. This is why the UK is tripling its assistance to Nigeria - 60% of which is focused on northern Nigeria.
“The economies of the Northern states are around half the size of those in the South. The UK is working with the Kano State government to promote inclusive growth, job creation and increased incomes in Kano.
“The UK Department for International Development has been working with the Government and people of Kano State for over 10 years.  I am delighted to be present at the launch of three new products of this excellent partnership.