15 Northern States Spend N45bn on Poverty Alleviation in 6 Months – Report

A new report reveals that 15 Northern states in Nigeria allocated a total of N45 billion for poverty alleviation efforts within the past six months. The funding was directed towards various initiatives aimed at reducing poverty levels and improving the socio-economic conditions in the region.

A report indicates that around N45 billion was expended by 15 northern states on various poverty alleviation initiatives during the first half of 2024.

This development occurs as rising inflation continues to worsen economic hardship nationwide.

The National Bureau of Statistics has revealed that Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 33.88% in October 2024, an increase from the 32.70% reported in September. In January, the inflation rate was at 29.90%, showing a rise of approximately 13% over ten months.

The northern region of Nigeria, known for having the country’s highest poverty rates, has experienced significant impact. In April 2024, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu voiced his concern about the alarming poverty levels in this area, especially in the North West.

During a lecture at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, Ribadu emphasized that Sokoto is the most severely affected state, referencing a national poverty rate of 40.1% as recorded in 2019.

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A 2022 survey on the Multidimensional Poverty Index conducted by the NBS highlighted the severe conditions in Northern Nigeria, revealing that this region is home to 65% of the country’s impoverished population. Sokoto State had an astounding poverty rate of 91%, and other northern states like Jigawa, Zamfara, and Yobe also reported extremely high levels of poverty.

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Government Spending on Poverty Reduction

An investigation found that 15 out of the 19 northern states allocated N45,323,220,202 to poverty alleviation programs from January to June 2024. The involved states are Zamfara, Yobe, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa,Nasarawa Kwara,Kogi Kebbi Katsina Kaduna Jigawa Gombe Borno,Bauchi,and Adamwa.

The information was sourced from budget implementation reports on the Open Nigerian States platform, a repository supported by BudgIT for government financial records. These quarterly reports offer insights into state expenditures.

During this time frame, the states together received more than N325 billion in grants and aid from international financial institutions. Despite Kano State having 68.8% of its population living below the national poverty line, it reportedly did not allocate any funds to poverty alleviation programs after receiving N5.3 billion in financial aid.

In Zamfara State, where 82% of the population is considered poor, only N1.3 million was allocated to poverty alleviation from a total grant of N52.8 billion received by the state. In contrast, Yobe State also has a high poverty rate but chose to allocate N16 billion towards similar programs after receiving grants totaling N53 billion.

During the same period, various states reported different expenditures: Plateau spent N3.6 billion, Niger N280 million, Nasarawa N94 million, Kwara N583 million, Kogi a substantial amount of N14 billion, Kebbi allocated expenses worth N54 million while Katsina and Kaduna recorded figures of 16 million and 13 million respectively. Meanwhile,Jigawa’s expenditure was at 6 billion; Gombe noted an expense of 1.8 billion whereas both Borno reached out for about an equivalent to .2billion too! On another hand,Baucho & Adamwa had nearly identical amounts set aside- accounting themselves around close numbers withbudgetary constraints costing onlyaround up-to eight-fifty-millions toward majorities’ welfare funding needs when considering essential community-based outreach programmes among others!.

The distribution and effects of these funds remain under scrutiny, particularly given the region’s ongoing poverty challenges.