Approximately 63% of Nigerians are grappling with multidimensional poverty exacerbated by inadequate policy implementation and insufficient data-driven interventions, as expressed by the Innovation for Poverty Action (IPA).
During the Nigeria Evidence Summit themed “Translating Emerging Evidence for Impact,” convened by IPA in Abuja, Country Director Funmi Ayeni underscored this critical issue. Ayeni highlighted findings from the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index, revealing that 63% of Nigeria’s populace faces multidimensional poverty, encompassing not only financial deprivation but also educational and infrastructural deficits.
The Nigeria Evidence Summit serves as a platform for constructive dialogue on key areas such as social protection, financial inclusion, and education. Its aim is to foster discussions conducive to sustainable change and impact in Nigeria’s battle against poverty.
Ayeni emphasized the necessity of translating evidence into actionable policies and decisions, with experts in each thematic area presenting their research and insights on effective implementation strategies.
Addressing the ongoing hunger protests in the country, Ayeni affirmed IPA’s collaboration with pertinent government bodies to develop data-driven solutions to address this pressing challenge.
Claudia Casarrotto, Chief Global Officer of IPA, stressed the importance of leveraging global research and adaptable policies to alleviate poverty on a global scale. She emphasized IPA’s role in disseminating knowledge and evidence to inform decision-making worldwide.
Casarrotto highlighted the significance of cross-contextual learning, where countries like Nigeria can draw insights from successful poverty reduction strategies implemented elsewhere.
Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, representing the Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), underscored the benefits of partnering with IPA. She expressed NAPTIP’s keen interest in IPA’s initiative to establish evidence-embedded labs, recognizing their potential to enhance data infrastructure and analytical capabilities.
Waziri-Azi emphasized the collaborative partnership between NAPTIP and IPA as a shared commitment to leveraging evidence for meaningful change and sustainable development.
