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FG, ActionAid, World Bank Push New Plan to End Poverty
FG, ActionAid, World Bank Push New Plan to End Poverty
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government, ActionAid Nigeria, and development experts have reaffirmed their collective resolve to eliminate poverty through inclusive growth, fiscal accountability, and citizen empowerment by the year 2030.
Speaking at the High-Level Dialogue on Rethinking Poverty Reduction Strategies in Nigeria held in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, said the government’s focus is on building an economy that rewards hard work, ensures fairness, and supports only those genuinely in need.
“The biggest form of social protection is ensuring that hardworking Nigerians receive fair rewards for their efforts, while social transfers go to those genuinely disadvantaged,” Bagudu stated.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed to eliminating poverty by 2030 through the Renewed Hope Development Plan, which emphasizes productivity, innovation, and inclusion.
“We are determined, by God’s grace, to eliminate poverty by 2030,” the minister affirmed.
Bagudu expressed optimism that ongoing reforms are already yielding positive results, citing increased revenues, renewed investor confidence, and new economic initiatives as signs of early recovery.
“Our economy is showing early signs of recovery, revenues are improving, private investment is returning, and new initiatives are taking root,” he said.
Describing President Tinubu’s policy direction as “bold and forward-looking,” the minister urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive, assuring that the long-term benefits of reforms will soon reflect in people’s lives.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s poverty reduction strategies to ensure that economic growth translates into real benefits for citizens.
He noted that despite Nigeria’s budget increasing from ₦300 billion in 1999 to ₦54.5 trillion in 2024, poverty levels have not declined proportionately.
“This tells us that we must do things differently. At ActionAid, we believe poverty can be eradicated, but only when government and citizens take shared responsibility and ensure accountability from the federal to the local level.” He said .
Mamedu, who recently visited Edo and Delta States, decried poor infrastructure despite increased financial allocations to subnational governments.
“The situation raises critical questions about how resources are being used at sub-national levels,”
“For us in ActionAid, the only party we recognize is the party of the people the fight against poverty.”he disclosed .
He urged government at all levels to emulate countries like China and India, which successfully lifted millions out of poverty through major investments in infrastructure, education, health, and social protection, ensuring that local contractors benefited from such projects.
“It is not enough to increase spending; we must ensure resources are used efficiently,” he said. “Reports show we lose about $18 billion annually to illicit financial flows. If we can stop such leakages, more funds will remain in our economy to drive development.”
While commending the Federal Government’s pledge to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years, Mamedu stressed that the goal can only be achieved through consistency, accountability, and collaboration among all stakeholders.
“We need to move about 10 million Nigerians out of poverty every year,”
“To achieve that, everyone government, civil society, and private sector must work together.” He said .
He also called for greater discipline and punctuality among citizens and officials, describing them as symbols of accountability and efficiency.
“Governance is not only about the President or ministers. It involves all of us. If we begin to do the small things right, like keeping to time, it will reflect in how we manage bigger responsibilities,” he added.
Mamedu reaffirmed ActionAid’s 10-year strategy to support and hold government accountable in lifting five million Nigerians out of poverty.
“We must ensure that the next poverty review shows progress, not decline,” “Together, we can build a Nigeria where prosperity is shared and poverty becomes history.”he said .
Both Bagudu and Mamedu agreed that sustainable poverty eradication will depend on shared responsibility, transparency, and a renewed focus on rewarding hard work across all sectors of the economy.
At the same dialogue, Dr. Chris Uwadoka, Special Adviser to the Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, emphasized that fiscal discipline and transparency are fundamental to reducing poverty.
“Fiscal responsibility is at the heart of poverty reduction, period. It is not merely a technical framework. It is a people-centred philosophy driven by transparency, accountability, and prudence,” he stated.
He acknowledged that while the government’s reforms have stabilized key indicators like revenue and debt, the real challenge lies in translating these macroeconomic gains into tangible human welfare.
“The challenge now… is how to translate these statistical macroeconomic results into tangible human welfare improvement. I believe that this question is at the heart of this multi-stakeholder dialogue today,” Uwadoka said.
He also urged state and local governments to take fiscal discipline seriously to prevent financial leakages and ensure that public resources directly benefit citizens.
“State and local governments need to hold themselves accountable to their people and to poverty alleviation… Without this commitment to good public financial management, the drivers of poverty will overwhelm our best intentions,” he cautioned.
Meanwhile, a World Bank presentation delivered by Mr. Imole Ibukun from the National Economic Council Secretariat highlighted a disturbing rise in poverty levels despite ongoing reforms.
According to the report, about 139 million Nigerians (61% of the population) now live in poverty up from 81 million (40%) in 2019. It also projects that poverty could rise by another 3.6 percentage points by 2027, making Nigeria one of the few resource-rich countries likely to see worsening poverty due to structural weaknesses.
The World Bank identified key drivers of poverty, including high food inflation, stagnant wages, oil dependence, poor infrastructure, low agricultural productivity, insecurity, and weak governance.
The report warns that without urgent corrective action, rising poverty could reverse development gains and threaten social stability. It recommends expanding social safety nets, investing in rural infrastructure and agriculture, improving food security, and strengthening governance to ensure economic growth benefits citizens.
FG, ActionAid, World Bank Push New Plan to End Povertyp
COAS storms Kebbi , orders massive manhunt for abducted schoolgirls
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Monday stormed Kebbi State in a decisive show of force, directing troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA to leave no stone unturned in the ongoing search-and-rescue operation for students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) Maga in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.
The COAS, who arrived the state with a strong delegation of Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, held an operational meeting with frontline commanders before addressing troops deployed in the search effort.
In a firm and emotionally charged message, Shaibu ordered the soldiers to intensify both day and night operations until all the abducted schoolgirls were safely rescued.
“You must continue day and night fighting. We must find these children,” he told the troops gathered at the forward operating location.
“For the commanders here, you must leverage intelligence to conduct intelligence-based missions. It has become a pattern that bandits target soft targets. If they know you are in a location, they will not come there or face you in a fight and you can defeat them, can’t you?”
Shaibu reminded officers and soldiers that a ruthless determination to succeed was essential.
“You must have all the commitment to make sure you succeed. Once you receive intelligence of something of this nature, you must act professionally and decisively. This is not just about our image; it is about doing our job properly,” he cautioned.
The Army Chief also held a separate engagement with local vigilantes and hunters supporting the operation. He emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration, describing them as indispensable partners due to their deep knowledge of the terrain.
“If we have people like you, it is you who will work with us and provide local intelligence. You know these forests and you are the ones to tell us where the criminals are,” he said.
“Your hunters should storm the nooks and crannies of these forests. Soldiers will also join you. We are counting on you to work with us to bring lasting peace. What these evil people are trying to do is to scare children from going to school. Let every man know we will not allow that.”
He commended the vigilantes for their courage and contributions, assuring them of the military’s full support.
Earlier, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu paid a sympathy visit to the Traditional Ruler of Danko, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Allaje, and the Principal of the attacked school, Hajiya Rabi Musa Magaji.
During the visit, he assured the monarch and the school authorities of the military’s unwavering resolve to rescue the girls unharmed.
“We are fully committed. We will not relent. The safety of these children is a national priority, and we are deploying every resource to ensure they return home safely,” the COAS said.
In her remarks, Hajiya Rabi expressed gratitude for the Army Chief’s swift visit, saying it demonstrated the urgency with which the military and federal authorities were treating the incident.
“Your visit has given us hope. We believe that with this level of commitment, our girls will soon return,” she said.
The abduction at GGCSS Maga has triggered widespread concern across the country, prompting an intensified military response involving ground and air components under Operation FANSAN YANMA.
Security sources who spoke to Zagazola Makama said troops, supported by surveillance assets, have expanded search corridors across forested areas spanning Danko/Wasagu and adjoining boundaries.
The COAS and his entourage later proceeded to inspect additional deployment points before returning to the operational command centre for a review briefing.
COAS storms Kebbi , orders massive manhunt for abducted schoolgirls
Engr. Ramat and the Future of NERC: Separating Fact from Fiction
by Ibrahim Sani Shawai
In recent days, several comments have circulated about the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the nomination of Engr. Abdullahi Ramat Garba as its incoming Chairman. Some statements paint an unnecessarily gloomy picture of the sector and an oddly shallow understanding of his qualifications. Both deserve clarification.
One of the recurring claims is that Engr. Ramat is simply a former local government chairman. That description is often thrown around as if it covers his entire professional identity. It does not. Long before his public service journey, he was a trained and certified engineer with years of hands-on technical and administrative experience. His profile blends engineering discipline, institutional management and a solid grasp of public accountability. Reducing all of this to one political role is inaccurate.
Some critics argue that NERC has endured two decades of weak leadership. Anyone who has seriously followed the sector knows this is not accurate. NERC guided Nigeria from a government-controlled electricity system to a privatized market. It established tariff structures, licensing frameworks, customer protection rules and compliance mechanisms still in use today. These reforms required competence, not weakness.
Modern electricity regulation relies heavily on technology, automation, real-time data, digital complaint systems and market intelligence tools. This is where Engr. Ramat has a clear advantage.
One of the most overlooked aspects of his profile is his strong proficiency in Information Technology. This directly supports the type of leadership required in today’s electricity market. His IT-driven approach includes real-time digital monitoring of grid operations, automated regulatory workflows, improved customer service platforms, cybersecurity protections, smart metering reforms and predictive tools for early intervention. These are the same tools used by leading global regulators.
Some insist that the next Chairman must come from within the Commission. But internal experience alone does not guarantee innovation. Many countries deliberately bring in external leadership to encourage new thinking.
His recent interview on TVC also highlighted his temperament. He calmly distanced himself from protests at the National Assembly and stressed the need for the Senate to carry out its responsibilities without interference. His conduct reflects maturity and respect for institutions.
The current leadership’s tenure expires on 1 December 2025. The Electricity Act does not provide room for an acting Chairman afterward. Nigeria cannot afford a vacuum at the top of its regulatory framework. Timely confirmation and effective transition planning are essential.
Rather than fixating on negative narratives, Nigeria should focus on strengthening NERC through better funding, technical training, transparent decision making and data-driven regulatory tools. Our electricity challenges built up over decades and cannot be solved instantly, but steady progress is possible with the right leadership.
His nomination offers a chance to modernize NERC, rebuild investor confidence and strengthen consumer protections. It reflects an effort to inject new ideas and technological depth into one of Nigeria’s most important institutions.
Engr. Abdullahi Ramat Garba brings a rare combination of engineering competence and digital vision. He deserves the opportunity to demonstrate it.
Shawai is a public affairs analyst and can be contacted via shawai2000@yahoo.com
Engr. Ramat and the Future of NERC: Separating Fact from Fiction
Tension in Kebbi as bandits attack GGCSS Maga, kill vice Principal , abduct students
By: Zagazola Makama
Tension has gripped the Zuru Emirate of Kebbi State following a late-night attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) Maga in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, during which bandits killed the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, and abducted an unspecified number of students.
A resident, Malama Murjanatu Hassan Gishiri, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said the attackers stormed the school at night and operated freely, throwing the community into panic.
She described the invasion as “a heartbreaking tragedy that has thrown the entire region into deep fear and mourning”, adding that the bandits moved in large numbers and overpowered the area without resistance.
Gishiri said the late Vice Principal was shot while attempting to protect students from the attackers.
“People in the community have been offering prayers for his soul, asking Allah to grant him mercy, a peaceful resting place, and to console his family over this painful loss,” she said.
Efforts to get official comments from security agencies proved unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Residents appealed to the government to act swiftly to rescue the abducted students and to strengthen security around schools and communities in the area, which have suffered repeated attacks by bandits.
Tension in Kebbi as bandits attack GGCSS Maga, kill vice Principal , abduct students
COAS storms Kebbi , orders massive manhunt for abducted schoolgirls
President Tinubu: Nigeria Resolute About Building Efficient Borders Across Africa
Engr. Ramat and the Future of NERC: Separating Fact from Fiction
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