The Federal Government and ActionAid Nigeria have reiterated their commitment to ending poverty by 2030 through a coordinated, accountable, and inclusive approach that empowers citizens and rewards productivity.
The assurance was given on Wednesday in Abuja during the ongoing High-Level National Dialogue on Rethinking Poverty Reduction Strategies in Nigeria.
Organised by ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), the dialogue, themed “Prospecting for an Improved Living for Our Communities”, aims to tackle the alarming rise in multidimensional poverty affecting 61 per cent of Nigerians and promote community-driven strategies for sustainable poverty eradication.
ActionAid Country Director, Mr. Andrew Mamedu, emphasized that poverty eradication requires shared responsibility, transparency, and a focus on rewarding hard work across all sectors. He called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s poverty reduction strategies to ensure that economic growth translates into tangible benefits for citizens.
“Despite Nigeria’s budget growing from about N300 billion in 1999 to N54.5 trillion in 2024, poverty levels have not reduced proportionately,” Mamedu said. “This shows that we must do things differently. Poverty can be eradicated only when government and citizens take shared responsibility and ensure accountability at all levels.”
He expressed concern over persistent poverty despite increased financial allocations to states and local governments, urging Nigeria to learn from countries like China and India, which lifted millions out of poverty through investments in infrastructure, education, health, and social protection, while ensuring local participation.
“It is not enough to increase spending; resources must be used efficiently. Reports show Nigeria loses about $18 billion annually to illicit financial flows. If we stop such leakages, more funds will remain in the economy to drive development,” he added.
Mamedu commended the government’s pledge to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within 10 years but stressed that achieving this goal requires consistency, accountability, and collaboration among stakeholders. “We need to lift about 10 million Nigerians out of poverty every year. To achieve that, government, civil society, and the private sector must work together,” he said.
He also urged Nigerians to embrace discipline, punctuality, and commitment as symbols of accountability and efficiency, noting that governance involves every citizen. “If we begin to do small things right, it will reflect in how we handle bigger responsibilities,” Mamedu added.
He reaffirmed ActionAid’s commitment to supporting and holding the government accountable in the fight against poverty, highlighting that the organisation’s 10-year strategy aims to lift five million Nigerians out of poverty. “Together, we can build a Nigeria where prosperity is shared and poverty becomes history,” he said.
Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, said the most effective social protection involves ensuring hardworking Nigerians receive fair compensation while government support targets those genuinely in need.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to building an inclusive economy driven by productivity and innovation. Bagudu added that the Renewed Hope Development Plan aims not only to reduce poverty but to eliminate it entirely by 2030.
“President Tinubu’s policy directions are bold and forward-looking. The reforms aim to ensure sustainable growth, equitable wealth distribution, and long-term national stability,” Bagudu said. “I urge Nigerians to be patient and supportive, as the benefits of these reforms will become more visible as the economy strengthens.”
