Hot SourceKuni Tyessi in Abuja
In bringing lasting solutions to the multidimensional poverty plaguing majority of Nigerians, and to improve on their lives of sustainability, stakeholders in public and private sectors have come up with lasting social protection interventions.
Disclosing this yesterday in Abuja, Executive Director, Africa Network for Environmental and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, David Ugolor, said it has become necessary in the face of a population of 230 million people and a GDP of USD 252.74 billion.”
In his welcome remarks at the opening of the 2-Day dialogue, Ugolor lamented that according to the National Bureau of Statistics (2022), 44.7 million men and 43.7 million women live on less than USD 1.90 a day, and 63% of the population is multi dimensionally poor.
He said based on this background, the meeting which is centered on the objectives of a three-year Act Naija programme, will provide an opportunity for civil society organisations and other stakeholders to discuss how to contribute to improving social protection intervention in Nigeria.
He reiterated that the dialogue is particularly important as social protection plays a critical role in reducing poverty, managing inequality, and enhancing the resilience of vulnerable populations.
“The country has a low Human Development Index score of 0.548, ranking it 161st out of 193 countries UNDP (2024), underscores the urgent need for inclusive social policies that tackle these inequalities.
“At outcome level, the project targets increased engagement of civil society actors in the development and monitoring an inclusive social protection system through – Increased public awareness on the importance of promoting an inclusive and responsive social protection system
“In Nigeria, a country with vast economic potential yet staggering levels of poverty, the importance of a robust and inclusive social protection system cannot be overstated. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and the fourth largest economy on the continent, with a GDP of USD 252.74 billion.”
The Act Naija project is being implemented by three organisations, namely: Bread for the World, Germany, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ and the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) and is co-funded by the European Union under its Human Rights and Support to Civil Society in Nigeria programme.
Delivering a keynote address, the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusufu Sununu, said it is imperative to have a reliable National Social Protection Policy, NSPP, which is currently being reviewed for efficiency and impactful interventions.
Represented by the Director of Social Development, Valentine Ezulu, Sununu declared that social protection is not charity but a right and for this reason, the ministry is undertaking the harmonization of social protection initiatives across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He added that the reform will reduce duplication, close operational gaps, and further enhance service delivery to Nigerians.
“As we deliberate today, let us remember that social protection is not charity — it is a right. It is about restoring dignity, building resilience, and unlocking the potential of every Nigerian.
“The Ministry stands ready to work with all stakeholders — national and international — to ensure that we deliver on our promise of a better and more inclusive Nigeria.”
Other stakeholders also called for new approaches towards addressing the frightening poverty plaguing Nigerians, and come up with lasting solutions.
The post Poverty Reduction: Stakeholders Hold Dialogue Towards Bringing Lasting Solutions appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.
