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Empowerment or Subjugation? As Kano Governor Distributes Goats to Women

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano has embarked on an ambitious mission—arming 2,386 women with a total of 7,158 goats, one hoof at a time. Under the Livestock Fattening Programme, this initiative is valued at N2.3 billion, with a grand vision to lift women out of poverty and steer them toward self-sufficiency. It all sounds promising, but one might wonder—are these goats truly a ladder to empowerment, or just another tether keeping women in place?
The governor’s spokesperson assures observers that this project is more than just goat-giving; it’s an economic revolution grazing its way across all 44 local government areas. Future plans even involve distributing cows and rams, and expanding the livestock empire.
The idea of goat-based empowerment carries a certain charm, no doubt. Yet, in a state grappling with infrastructural challenges, limited access to education, and market constraints, it begs the question—how exactly does three goats per woman translate into economic independence?
Moreover, the governor’s warnings against “misusing” the goats add an amusing layer to the equation. Are the women expected to resist the temptation of turning them into quick meals or selling them for immediate cash?
To the casual observer, this entire initiative feels like an elaborate dance—government officials patting themselves on the back while women are left to figure out how to turn bleating livestock into business success. It’s a classic case of giving someone fish instead of teaching them to fish—except in this case, they are given goats and asked to somehow build an empire.
The larger issue at play is the optics of governance—grand announcements and headline-grabbing gestures that often lack the depth needed for true impact. Shouldn’t empowerment involve choices, control, and the ability to break cycles of dependence? Without a solid support system, these goats might end up as little more than symbols of short-lived benevolence rather than sustainable progress.
In the end, one cannot help but chuckle at the irony of it all—while political opponents trade barbs and jostle for power, the people are left wondering if their future truly lies in livestock. Perhaps, instead of distributing goats, the leadership could focus on laying the groundwork for long-term economic opportunities. After all, empowerment should not come with strings—or hooves—attached.