Tinubu Urges Governors to Invest More in Poverty Eradication, Other Priorities

 President Bola Tinubu on July 31, 2025, called on Nigeria’s 36 state governors to ramp up investments in poverty eradication and critical sectors during the 143rd National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, emphasizing a collective approach to national development. 

With 46% of Nigeria’s 220 million population, approximately 104 million people, living below the $2.15 daily poverty line, as per the World Bank’s 2023 estimate, Tinubu highlighted the urgency of channeling funds from the ₦1.8 trillion 2025 FAAC allocations into social programs. He proposed a ₦500 billion poverty alleviation fund, to be matched by state contributions, targeting skills training, microfinance, and agricultural support for 10 million households.

Tinubu’s administration has rolled out reforms like fuel subsidy removal, saving $10 billion annually, but inflation at 33.4% has eroded gains, prompting calls for better coordination. The Centre for Democracy and Development, argue that without tackling corruption, Nigeria ranked 145/180 on the 2023 Corruption Perception Index, such investments may falter. The narrative of shared responsibility is compelling, but its effectiveness will depend on transparent governance and equitable resource distribution across Nigeria’s diverse regions.