Federal Government Unveils Ambitious N16 Trillion Plan to Combat Poverty in Nigeria
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched a groundbreaking national framework designed to lift 50 million citizens out of poverty by the year 2030. This initiative, known as the One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS), was formally introduced on Tuesday, March 24, with authorities outlining a comprehensive financing strategy totaling N16 trillion for the period spanning 2026 to 2030.
OHOPRS: A Unified Approach to Poverty Eradication
The OHOPRS programme represents a significant shift in the government's strategy to address widespread deprivation across the nation. According to officials, this new system aims to improve coordination among various social intervention programmes, moving away from fragmented efforts that have historically managed rather than ended poverty. Bernard Dor, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, emphasized the urgency of this change, stating that over 63% of Nigerians currently live in multidimensional poverty, highlighting the critical need for a more effective approach.
Financing Breakdown and Strategic Partnerships
The N16 trillion budget for OHOPRS will be mobilised annually from multiple sources, with an estimated N3.2 trillion required each year. The financing plan includes:
- N1.5 trillion from government allocations
- N800 billion from development partners such as the World Bank, European Union, and United Nations
- N600 billion from the private sector and impact investors
- N300 billion from climate and global funds
Additionally, the government plans to establish a National Humanitarian and Poverty Reduction Trust Fund. This fund will leverage blended financing instruments, including climate funding, social impact bonds, private investments, Islamic finance tools like zakat, sukuk, and waqf, as well as carbon credits, to ensure sustainable resource mobilisation.
Coordinated Efforts and Data-Driven Accountability
Minister Dor highlighted that OHOPRS will integrate humanitarian relief, long-term development, and social protection under a single national framework. The system is designed to be data-driven and people-focused, with real-time digital accountability mechanisms to enhance transparency and effectiveness. President Bola Tinubu has directed the full alignment of all poverty reduction efforts under this unified system, setting a target to lift millions out of poverty within five years.
Support from International and Local Stakeholders
Mohamed Fall, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, represented by UNDP Country Representative Elsie Attafuah, described poverty in Nigeria as a humanitarian crisis requiring urgent and coordinated action. He noted that with approximately 62% of Nigerians living in poverty and 33 million facing acute food insecurity, the OHOPRS initiative offers a crucial opportunity to improve resource allocation and achieve measurable outcomes.
Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of the National Bureau of Statistics, stressed the importance of collaboration, stating that no single institution can address the complexity of poverty alone. He cited data indicating that about 133 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor, underscoring the need for high-quality data to ensure effective targeting and transparency in the programme's implementation.
Context and Projections
This initiative comes against a backdrop of concerning poverty projections. According to a report by PwC titled "Turning Macroeconomic Stability into Sustainable Growth," at least 141 million Nigerians are expected to be living in poverty by 2026. The report attributes this rise to weak real income growth and persistently high living costs, with poverty projected to reach about 62% of the population in the year preceding the 2027 general elections. The OHOPRS programme aims to counteract these trends through its coordinated and well-funded approach, offering hope for significant progress in poverty reduction across Nigeria.
