The Institute for Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus and ActionAid agree that reducing poverty in Nigeria is achievable but only if governments confront inequality, corruption, and injustice head-on. Speaking at a Poverty Colloquium in Enugu to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, ActionAid’s Andrew Mamedu stressed that governments must view health, education, and social protection as fundamental rights, not charity.
Highlights from the event revealed staggering statistics: 139 million Nigerians, or 65% of the population, live in poverty, underscoring urgent need for systemic change. The speakers urged for people-centered governance, transparent management of natural resources, and stronger social safety nets. UNICEF and economic experts emphasized holistic, inclusive support to empower families and break the cycle of poverty.
Leave a comment