As the world marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the Federal Government of Nigeria has restated its commitment to improving the lives of poor and vulnerable citizens through the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme. The programme, launched in 2020, continues to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on creating access to better livelihoods, food security, and economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
According to official figures, the NG-CARES Programme has already reached over 17 million Nigerians across the federation. It aims to further advance the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1, which targets the eradication of poverty in all its forms.
Speaking on the importance of the global observance, the National Coordinator of the Federal CARES Support Unit, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, said the federal government’s sustained efforts have led to transformative interventions across the country. “In the past two years, the Federal Government has inspired NG-CARES to implement transformative interventions that have improved access to basic services, enhanced livelihoods, and restored hope in communities most affected by economic shocks,” he stated.
Dr. Obaje commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “visionary leadership and commitment to poverty reduction through the Renewed Hope Agenda.” He also acknowledged the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for his “consistent policy guidance and strong support” which he said have been key to sustaining the momentum of the NG-CARES Programme.
The National Coordinator noted that more Nigerians now enjoy access to basic social services, financial inclusion, and agricultural support. He explained that farmers are better equipped, food availability has improved, and poverty levels continue to decline steadily across the states.
The theme for this year’s celebration, “Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting Dignity in Practice for All,” mirrors the core focus of NG-CARES in restoring livelihoods and creating economic opportunities. The programme also prioritises safety under its Labour Intensive Public Work (LIPW) scheme, ensuring that participants work in secure and supportive conditions.
So far, over 13,102,727 Nigerians have benefited from the Basic Services component of the NG-CARES Programme through interventions such as social transfers, LIPW, livelihood support, and infrastructure development at community and group levels. In promoting food security, more than 4,158,896 farmers have received different forms of assistance, ranging from farm inputs to productivity-enhancing tools.
Additionally, the NG-CARES Programme has provided support to 349,859 micro, small, and nano enterprises nationwide, helping them to recover and expand. This intervention, according to the Federal CARES Support Unit, is strengthening local economies, encouraging entrepreneurship, and promoting inclusive economic growth.