APC Chieftain Calls on Tinubu to Bolster Poverty Alleviation Efforts

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to guarantee that his administration’s social intervention initiatives effectively address poverty among the populace. This appeal was communicated in a statement released to journalists in Osogbo, the state capital, on Sunday.

Oyintiloye praised President Tinubu for allocating a significant sum of N462.66 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. However, he expressed concern over Nigeria's projected poverty rate, which is anticipated to be between 62% and 63% by 2026. He contrasted this with Ghana, a neighboring country, whose multidimensional poverty rate was recorded at 21.9% in the third quarter of 2025, highlighting Nigeria's considerably higher figures.

To ensure optimal success, Oyintiloye stressed the importance of implementing robust strategies to ensure that the allocated resources genuinely improve the lives of less-privileged Nigerians. He urged the President to fortify and thoroughly assess the existing social intervention programmes of his government, advocating for meticulous implementation to alleviate the economic hardships faced by citizens.

Furthermore, Oyintiloye called for a comprehensive review of current interventions, which encompass youth employment, skills development, direct cash transfers, school feeding programmes, agricultural support, and other forms of social protection, aiming for maximum impact on Nigerians.

He stated, “Such interventions must have clear targets, transparent beneficiary selection, strong monitoring and measurable performance indicators to minimise leakages, duplication and abuse.” He further added, “The President must also ensure that public funds produce identifiable benefits. The President’s efforts to alleviate poverty among the masses must not be allowed to be truncated by selfish individuals.” Oyintiloye reiterated, “Since the intervention programmes are meant to alleviate poverty among the masses, every necessary strategy must be in place to ensure that allocated money has positive impacts on the lives of less-privileged Nigerians.”

The APC chieftain also advocated for enhanced allowances and welfare packages for workers, arguing that such measures would boost purchasing power, stimulate local economies, strengthen household incomes, and enable families to cover their essential needs.

Observing that millions of Nigerians currently live below the poverty line, Oyintiloye suggested that the President's ongoing poverty reduction efforts through various intervention schemes should be re-evaluated and restructured to meet their intended goals. He encouraged Nigerians to maintain faith in Tinubu’s capability to further reduce poverty, asserting that “the hardship Nigerians are presently facing will soon be a thing of the past. It is true that the economy is not in good shape and there is poverty in the land, but the President is not sleeping on all these.”

He concluded by stating, “The removal of the fuel subsidy and the monetary policy of the President are already putting the country on the right path. We all just need to keep praying for the country and continue to play our part to support him to achieve his good plans for the upliftment of the country.”