Shettima: FG Reforms Fit Lift 50 Million Nigerians Comot Poverty Within Ten Years

Vice President Shettima don outline reforms for infrastructure, inclusion, and mechanised agriculture to sharply cut poverty by 2035. Vice President Kashim Shettima don talk say di Federal Government reforms and development plans wey dey go on now dey target to lift between 40 to 50 million Nigerians comot from multidimensional poverty within di next 10 years. Di Vice President, wey Special Adviser to di President on Power Infrastructure, Sadiq Wanka, represent for DevFest2025 wey carry di theme “Ending Poverty in Nigeria,” don hammer di point say to end poverty for Naija dey possible if we continue di reforms, join hands well, and follow bold, inclusive strategies wey Nextier organize. E talk say, “If we remain consistent in applying these policies, GDP go rise, inequality go drop, food and multidimensional poverty go reduce, and inflation fit enter single digit by 2026. In total, our reforms fit free 40 to 50 million Nigerians from poverty within ten years, make dem fit fulfill their God-given potential. As dem unveil di government “Poverty Exit Plan,” Shettima describe di strategy as both moral duty and sharp agreement to make sure say no Nigerian go dey left behind.He explain say di plan rest on three strong pillars:

1. Invest well for infrastructure,
2. Push economic and financial inclusion,
3. Turn agriculture from just managing to chop to better, value-driven mechanised farming.

Di Vice President point out some better economic signs wey don dey show face: external reserves don rise reach $42 billion, inflation don drop steady for six months straight, Naira dey balance small small under Central Bank policies, and trade surplus don increase by 44.3% for first half of 2025, wey reach over N10 trillion. He reveal say over N330 billion don already reach 8.1 million households through Conditional Cash Transfers, while Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) don give out over N80 billion as loan to 400,000 students.For agriculture side, Di National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) don pull over $1 billion to boost mechanised farming and add better value to agricultural produce. Shettima emphasise early reforms like removal of petrol subsidy and joining of forex rates, talk say dem be bold but necessary steps to free up money for better investment. He talk say, Di removal of di petrol subsidy and di unification of the foreign exchange market na bold economic surgery, wey dey important to stabilise our country and put am for road of steady growth. He explain say di plan stand on three strong pillars: investment in infrastructure, promotion of inclusion, and moving agriculture forward with value addition. Our Poverty Exit Plan no be one-way and e no dey rest. E dey built on three strategic pillarsm to invest in critical infrastructure, push financial and economic inclusion, and support value-addition plus mechanised agriculture. Shettima highlight some early better results, like higher foreign reserves, smaller fiscal deficit, increase in non-oil exports, and inflation wey dey balance. He project say by 2026, poverty and inequality fit reduce well well. “If we remain consistent in our application of these policies, our government dey sure say we go see GDP growth shoot up, inequality go reduce well, food and multidimensional poverty go crash, and inflation fit enter single digit by 2026.”

Di Head of Delegation of di European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, still talk say to reduce poverty, na correct local policies suppose lead di way. He yarn say international partners fit support, but dem no fit replace local leadership. He talk say, “To reduce poverty no be just moral duty, e be political, social and economic must-do. E dey reduce wahala, strengthen democracy, and boost productivity.” He stress say make we dey hear from poor communities demself, no be only to dey look statistics. He point out Nigeria’s strong entrepreneurial spirit, especially among women, as serious power to fight poverty. He still reveal say EU don commit over €87 million to support Nigeria social safety net and resilience programs, plus another €150 million for humanitarian support to tackle food wahala wey dey affect 33 million Nigerians. From state level, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to Government for Enugu State, share lessons from dia multi-sectoral work for education, agriculture, and health, wey e talk dey shift focus from poverty reduction to poverty eradication. For im welcome talk, Dr. Ndubuisi Nwokolo, Partner for Nextier Development Foundation, stress say make we no just dey do short-term fixes or small small interventions. “Money alone no fit finish poverty. Neither rice distribution nor to just give sewing machines. We must dig deeper and carry sustainable, evidence-based solutions,” na so e talk. Nwokolo urge stakeholders make dem scale up local innovations, tap into Nigeria young people power, and follow whole-of-society approach wey go join government, civil society, private investors, and academia together. Patrick Okigbo III, Founding Partner of Nextier, join di talk, say di festival na to bring together sharp leaders and innovators to create practical solutions together. We no gree say poverty no fit end. Di time to finish am na now, with correct partnerships, policies, and political will,” Okigbo With 40% of Nigerians — over 82 million people,  still dey below poverty line, di wahala still heavy. But stakeholders agree say with steady policies, grassroots innovations, and support from international partners, Nigeria fit enter better road to shared prosperity. Nextier Push For Reforms To End Poverty for Naija. Meanwhile, Nigeria fight against poverty get fresh energy on Tuesday as government leaders, development partners, academics, and civil society people gather for Nextier Development Solutions Festival (DevFest2025) for Abuja to map bold ways to take end poverty once and for all.