88.4 million Nigerians living in extreme poverty — FG

The Nigeria’s federal government has said 88.4 million people in country are living in extreme poverty.

This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Temitope Fadeshemi on Wednesday in Kaduna during the distribution of farm inputs to 250 smallholder farmers.

The permanent secretary, who was represented by the Director, Department of Extension Services of the ministry, Bashir Abdulkadir, said the gestures were extended to the farmers under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy, NPRGS.

He said, ”The level of poverty in Nigeria is alarming. An estimated population of 88.4 million people in Nigeria is living in extreme poverty.

”The number of men living on less than 1.90 U.S. dollars a day in the country reached around 44.7 million, while the count was at 43.7 million for women.

”Overall, 12.9 percent of the global population in extreme poverty was found in Nigeria as of 2022,” he said.

According to him, the event marked a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s collective commitment to uplifting the lives of smallholder farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.

He added, ”I am delighted to remind you that NPRGS, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service (FDAE), has diligently enumerated and validated approximately 250 farmers for participation in this transformative programme.

”These farmers are not just the backbone of our agricultural sector; they are the heartbeat that forms the heartbeat of our nation’s prosperity.

”The NPRGS reflects our government’s dedication to addressing poverty at its roots, emphasizing the pivotal role agriculture plays in economic growth and development.

”Through initiatives like today’s training and empowerment programme, we are sowing the seeds of positive change, ensuring that smallholder farmers have the knowledge, resources, and support needed to thrive in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape.”