FG Not Responsible for Multi-Dimensional Poverty – Ex-Minister
Former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba, has said that Nigeria’s worsening multi-dimensional poverty crisis should not be blamed solely on the Federal Government of Nigeria, insisting that sub-national governments bear greater responsibility.
Agba made the assertion while reacting to reports indicating that about 133 million Nigerians are living in multi-dimensional poverty, a condition that goes beyond income levels to include poor access to education, healthcare, sanitation, housing, and basic living standards.
According to the former minister, Nigeria operates a federal system in which state and local governments play a critical role in addressing social and economic challenges at the grassroots. He argued that most of the indicators used in measuring multi-dimensional poverty—such as primary healthcare, basic education, water supply, and rural infrastructure—fall largely within the constitutional responsibilities of state and local governments.
Agba noted that while the Federal Government provides policy direction, funding frameworks, and intervention programmes, effective implementation rests with sub-national authorities who are closer to the people. He stressed that blaming the Federal Government alone ignores the structural realities of governance in the country.
He further explained that states receive statutory allocations and internally generated revenues that should be deployed to tackle poverty through targeted social programmes, job creation initiatives, and investments in basic services.
The former minister also called for stronger accountability mechanisms at the state and local government levels, urging citizens and civil society groups to demand transparency in how public funds meant for poverty alleviation are utilised.
Nigeria’s multi-dimensional poverty index has remained a major policy concern, with experts repeatedly calling for coordinated efforts across all tiers of government to reverse the trend.
Agba concluded by emphasising that addressing poverty requires collaboration between the Federal Government, states, local councils, and the private sector, rather than shifting blame to a single level of government.
