Good News: Things Are Getting Better For Very Poor People In Nigeria"

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Economic Affairs, Dr. Tope Fasua, has said the administration’s social intervention programs are beginning to improve conditions for Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.

“Things are getting better for very poor people in Nigeria,” Fasua told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking at a briefing on the economy, Fasua said the federal government is prioritizing targeted relief to households at the lowest income levels.

“We are seeing more food items moving into communities, more vulnerable households getting direct support, and more efforts to stabilize prices of essentials,” he said. “So yes, things are getting better for very poor people in Nigeria.”

Fasua noted that delivery systems are being refined to reduce leakages and ensure assistance reaches intended beneficiaries at the state and community levels.

The presidential aide listed four key areas of focus:

1. Food and Relief Distribution:* Ongoing distribution of staple food items to vulnerable communities across multiple states.
2. Cash Transfers: Expansion of conditional and direct cash transfers under the National Social Investment Programme to poor and vulnerable households.
3. Price Stabilization Efforts: Interventions aimed at moderating transport and food costs through targeted subsidies and market engagement.
4. Expanded Social Investment: Increased coverage for women, children, and rural families through existing welfare schemes.

Fasua acknowledged that inflationary pressures remain a challenge nationwide. He said the interventions are intended to cushion the impact for households with limited income.

Some beneficiaries in states where palliatives have been distributed said the support has helped bridge food gaps in recent weeks. Community leaders in parts of the North-Central and South-East regions reported receiving consignments for onward distribution.

However, civil society groups and some residents urged the government to publish disaggregated data on coverage, timelines, and impact metrics. “Relief is welcome, but Nigerians need to see verifiable data and wider reach beyond urban centers,” said a policy analyst in Lagos.

Economists note that while short-term transfers can ease immediate hardship, long-term poverty reduction will depend on job creation, food supply stability, and improved purchasing power…See More