Bold Promise: ActionAid Targets Lifting 5 Million Nigerians Out Of Poverty In 10 Years

 ActionAid Nigeria has set an ambitious target to help lift five million Nigerians out of poverty within the next decade, citing rising inequality and persistent poverty despite significant increases in government spending.

The organisation noted that public expenditure in the 2025 budget has more than doubled compared to the previous year, yet the benefits have not translated into improved living conditions for many citizens.

Speaking at a three-day workshop on Public Finance Management (PFM) and accountability in Lagos, Head of Programmes at ActionAid Nigeria, Mr. Celestine Okwudili Odo, emphasised the need for the media to play a central role in linking budgetary allocations to the realities of ordinary Nigerians.

According to Ireporter Online, the workshop brought together journalists from Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Borno, Lagos, and Abuja, equipping them with the skills to interpret complex financial data and translate it into impactful stories that reflect the everyday struggles of the populace.

Odo stressed that despite the quantum leap in public finance—from the low 20 trillion naira range in 2024 to over 50 trillion naira in 2025—the pattern of allocation fails to address core needs such as classrooms, clean water, and hospital facilities.

He said the organisation’s new strategy focuses on social movements and empowering citizens to influence decisions that directly affect their lives.

Presenting the objectives of the workshop, Project Advisor for the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPAII), Blessing Ifemenam, explained that the training seeks to enhance journalists’ understanding of fiscal policies, revenue mobilisation, and budget analysis.

The aim is to improve tax transparency, strengthen fiscal policies in key sectors like extractives, and enable civil society and the media to monitor public finances effectively.

According to Ireporter Online, an economic consultant, Dr. Terfa Abraham, who delivered a lecture on fiscal responsibility and revenue generation, urged journalists to deepen their understanding of fiscal laws, budgetary processes, and reforms.

He said this would enable the media to hold government accountable and contribute meaningfully to national development.