Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, stated on Thursday that despite recent economic growth, millions of Nigerians still face multidimensional poverty. Bagudu noted that the country faces unique challenges in addressing poverty due to its diverse population and regions.
Speaking at the opening of a one-day high-level stakeholders’ dialogue on operationalizing the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in Nigeria, Bagudu highlighted that recent figures indicate about 40 percent of Nigerians live below the poverty line. He stated, “When we apply the MPI, this percentage often reveals deeper, multidimensional aspects of deprivation.”
The minister explained that Nigeria’s MPI combines many concerns into one headline measure, focusing on people left behind in multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) simultaneously. He emphasized that the government has positioned the index to play a pivotal role for policymakers at various government levels, academia, civil society, and the public.
Bagudu affirmed that the federal government will continue to support the MPI’s implementation through the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) and the eight-priority areas of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He described the operationalization of the MPI as a call to action for stakeholders to adopt a holistic approach to poverty reduction, recognizing the interconnected deprivations affecting millions of Nigerians.
He said, “By leveraging the MPI, we can craft informed, targeted, and effective policies that address the root causes of poverty and promote sustainable development. Let us commit to this transformative journey with determination and unity. Together, we can create a Nigeria where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, where no one is left behind, and where the dream of prosperity and well-being becomes a reality for all.”
Bagudu highlighted that the MPI is part of the NPRGS, launched in 2021 as a 10-year program to eradicate extreme poverty and accelerate human capital growth. The MPI, launched in 2022, aims to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in a decade by providing an evidence-based, data-driven strategy. The index goes beyond traditional income-based measurements, considering dimensions such as education, health, and living standards to offer a comprehensive picture of poverty.
The MPI was developed through the collaborative efforts of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), and other key stakeholders. Bagudu noted that the MPI provides a nuanced understanding of poverty’s complexity, measuring factors such as access to clean water, electricity, schooling, and healthcare to identify areas needing interventions.
Statistician-General of the Federation (SGF) and Chief Executive of NBS, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, remarked that the dialogue could significantly shape Nigeria’s approach to tackling multidimensional poverty. Adeniran said the MPI ensures policymakers have the tools needed to address multidimensional poverty effectively. He emphasized the importance of continuous training, technical capacity building, and adequate resources to produce timely and sustainable data for effective intervention monitoring and design.
Adeniran appealed for increased financial and technical support from the government and donors, acknowledging the support already provided but stressing the need for more to meet the task ahead. He concluded, “While we acknowledge the support already provided by both government and partners, we appeal for more to meet this mandate and task ahead of us.”