A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that social intervention programmes designed to alleviate poverty among Nigerians make a positive impact. Oyintiloye made this statement in a release made available to journalists in Osogbo, the state capital, on Sunday. He commended Tinubu for allocating N462.66 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
Oyintiloye expressed concern that Nigeria's projected poverty level for 2026 stands at 62 to 63 per cent, which is high compared to neighbouring Ghana, whose multidimensional poverty rate was 21.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2025. To achieve maximum success, Oyintiloye emphasized that strategies must be put in place to ensure that allocated resources positively impact the lives of less-privileged Nigerians. He suggested that the President should strengthen and comprehensively evaluate the social intervention programmes.
Oyintiloye demanded a review of existing interventions covering youth employment, skills development, cash transfers, school feeding, agriculture, and other forms of social protection for maximum impact on Nigerians. He stressed that such interventions must have clear targets, transparent beneficiary selection, strong monitoring, and measurable performance indicators to minimise leakages, duplication, and abuse.
The APC chieftain urged the President to ensure that public funds produce identifiable benefits and that the efforts to alleviate poverty among the masses are not truncated by selfish individuals. He emphasized that every necessary strategy must be in place to ensure that allocated money has a positive impact on the lives of less-privileged Nigerians.
Oyintiloye also called for improved workers' allowances and welfare packages, saying these would increase purchasing power, stimulate local businesses, strengthen household incomes, and enable families to meet essential needs. He noted that millions of Nigerians are living below the poverty line and that the President's efforts through various intervention programmes to reduce poverty should be further repackaged to meet expected targets.
Despite the current economic challenges, Oyintiloye urged Nigerians to keep believing in Tinubu's capacity to further reduce poverty among them. He stated that the hardship Nigerians are presently facing will soon be a thing of the past. Oyintiloye expressed confidence that the President's efforts, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the monetary policy, are already putting the country on the right path.
The APC chieftain encouraged Nigerians to continue to play their part to support Tinubu in achieving his plans for the upliftment of the country. He emphasized that collective support and prayers are necessary to help the country overcome its current challenges.
Key points
- Oyintiloye urged President Tinubu to ensure that social intervention programmes make a positive impact on Nigerians.
- Nigeria's projected poverty level for 2026 stands at 62 to 63 per cent.
- Oyintiloye called for improved workers' allowances and welfare packages to increase purchasing power and stimulate local businesses.
