VP SHETTIMA ON NIGERIA'S MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY

VP Shettima on Nigeria’s Multidimensional Poverty: Vision, Strategy, and Urgency

Vice President Kashim Shettima has emerged as a vocal advocate for confronting Nigeria’s multidimensional poverty crisis with bold, systemic reforms. 

His recent remarks at the 2025 Nextier Development Festival (DevFest), themed “Ending Poverty in Nigeria,” laid out a comprehensive roadmap for lifting between 40 and 50 million Nigerians out of poverty within the next decade.

Represented by Sadiq Wanka, Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure, Shettima emphasized that Nigeria’s poverty is not merely about income deprivation but spans across access to education, healthcare, housing, nutrition, and employment. He asserted that the country has “no excuse for poverty,” given its abundant human and natural resources, and called for a national awakening to confront the structural and policy failures that perpetuate deprivation.

Central to Shettima’s strategy is the aggressive pursuit of economic reforms aimed at stabilizing the macroeconomic environment. He highlighted the importance of consistent policy application to sustain GDP growth, reduce inequality, and lower inflation.

The Vice President expressed optimism that inflation could fall to single digits by 2026, a critical milestone for improving purchasing power and economic stability. He also underscored the role of mechanized agriculture, infrastructure expansion, and inclusive governance in creating jobs and boosting productivity. These reforms, he argued, are not abstract ideals but tangible commitments that the administration is already implementing through fiscal discipline, deregulation, and targeted investments.

Shettima’s remarks also touched on the importance of collaboration across sectors. He called on civil society, the private sector, and international partners to align efforts with government initiatives.

The Vice President believes that poverty eradication is achievable only through a unified national effort that prioritizes the dignity and potential of every Nigerian. He cited the inauguration of the Nutrition Core Working Committee (NCWC) as a step toward addressing malnutrition, which he described as a silent but devastating dimension of poverty.

The committee, dubbed an “intellectual powerhouse,” is tasked with coordinating strategies to combat hunger and improve child development outcomes nationwide.

In his vision, Nigeria’s fight against poverty is not just a policy challenge but a moral imperative. Shettima’s rhetoric is infused with urgency and hope, portraying poverty as a solvable problem rather than a permanent condition. He envisions a Nigeria where prosperity is not a privilege for the few but a shared reality for the many. His message is clear: with sustained reforms, inclusive policies, and national resolve, Nigeria can dismantle the structures of multidimensional poverty and build a future of equity and opportunity.