ActionAid Nigeria has urged the government to prioritize alleviating the suffering of its citizens, emphasizing that policies should be geared towards eradicating poverty.
The non-governmental organization expressed concern over the alarming rates of poverty and injustice in Nigeria, which they argue are tearing the nation apart along ethnic lines and leading to civil unrest. They highlighted that these issues have contributed significantly to the social upheavals facing the country today.
In response to these challenges, ActionAid Nigeria launched its new 10-year Country Strategy Paper (CSP) on Thursday, titled “Citizens’ Action to End Poverty and Injustice 2024-2034.”
Speaking at the event, ActionAid Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, underscored the crucial role of the government in ensuring equal rights for all citizens. He explained, “The CSP builds on our extensive work in Nigeria and lessons learned from previous strategies. Our new approach emphasizes responding to multidimensional poverty, recognizing how poverty and injustice are often weaponized against the poor and marginalized.”
Mamedu also noted that previous strategies focused on addressing poverty amidst Nigeria’s wealth, advocating for progressive taxation, and collaborating with social movements to advance social justice.
Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development, highlighted the significant political, economic, and social challenges Nigeria faces. He pointed to poor leadership, corruption, and weak civil society as major hurdles to development. He criticized the ruling elite for continuing a “business-as-usual” approach, despite the pressing need for poverty eradication and social justice.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, acknowledged in his speech that poverty remains a critical issue in Nigeria, emphasizing that the government’s responsibility is to address the country’s fundamental economic, political, and social objectives as outlined in the Constitution.
