It is a privilege and an honour to stand before you today at the Gazelle News Public Lecture 2024, an event that brings together some of the passionate advocates for societal progress.
I thank the organizers for choosing a theme that resonates deeply with the challenges and aspirations of our time: “Poverty Alleviation: Fantasies, Expectations, and Realities of People’s Empowerment.”
What is this global phenomenon called poverty?
Poverty is not merely the absence of wealth; it is a multifaceted problem that manifests as limited access to basic needs, education, healthcare, and opportunities for economic participation.
Globally, over 700 million people live on less than $2.15 a day, according to the World Bank.
Here in Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy, over 40% of our population still lives below the poverty line. For Lagos State, as the economic hub of the country, the challenge is critical. With a population of over 25 million people and a net growth rate of 6,000 new residents daily, Lagos is under immense pressure to expand its resources and infrastructure to meet rising demands.
While Lagos contributes approximately 30% to Nigeria’s GDP and generates over 70% of national industrial investment, inequality persists.
According to a report by the Lagos Bureau of Statistics, 4.5 million residents of Lagos live in extreme poverty, earning below $1.90 daily. These figures remind us of the urgency and magnitude of the task ahead.
To put it in proper perspective, please, permit me to illustrate the pains and pangs of poverty with a story told by one of our leading lights, a legal luminary and a foremost philanthropist, Aare Afe Babalola SAN.
He was in his Ibadan chambers when two women came visiting. It was a very busy day. The women waited from morning till evening when Chief Afe Babalola was getting set to close for the day. They insisted on seeing him. He asked that the women be brought in.
Chief Afe Babalola said: “They knelt down, crying and begging for help. They said they needed to start their own businesses. I asked the first one, ‘How much do you need?’ ‘ If I have N5000, I’ll be fine. ‘What can you do with N5,000? I will be selling oranges sir.”
Aare could not contain the dam of tears that had built up in his eyes. He went into his bathroom to clean up the hot tears that had rushed down his cheeks. “I understood what she was saying. That is the face of poverty – desperate, scary, and worrisome. I asked my staff to give each of the women N250,000. They were rolling on the floor, shedding tears of joy. “
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, that was the reaction of a man who knew poverty, fought poverty, and defeated poverty. But, the question is, how much can an individual do? How much can the government do? Should we raise up our hands and surrender? I dare say no. Never!
Fantasies:
Misconceptions About Poverty Alleviation
In tackling poverty, we must first dispel common fantasies:
- The Fantasy of Instant Solutions:
Poverty alleviation is often seen as a quick fix, achievable through one-time cash transfers or donations. While such interventions may provide temporary relief, they do not address the systemic issues that perpetuate poverty. In other words, a pain reliever may suppress a headache; it cannot be a permanent solution. The headache will return if the cause is not properly diagnosed and treated.
- The Fantasy of Uniform Strategies:
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to poverty. For instance, urban poverty in Lagos manifests in forms such as overcrowded informal settlements, where over 66% of the population resides. This dynamic differs from rural poverty in less industrialized States.
- The Fantasy of Government Alone:
Many believe that eradicating poverty is solely the government’s responsibility. While government policies are crucial, poverty alleviation requires collaboration among the private sector, civil society, and international partners.
Expectations: The People’s Hope
The expectations of Lagosians are clear:
- Dignified Employment Opportunities:
Unemployment in Lagos currently stands at 14.6%, with youth unemployment at a staggering 32%. People want more than handouts—they want jobs that pay fair wages and provide stability. We understand this in Lagos.
The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and other programmes have so far created over 200,000 direct jobs and supported over 150,000 small businesses, but the scale of demand remains high.
- Access to Quality Services:
Education, healthcare, and infrastructure are fundamental enablers of upward mobility.
For example, the EkoEXCEL program has improved learning outcomes for over 500,000 primary school pupils, and the ongoing renovation of 150 primary healthcare centres is expanding access to health services for low-income families.
- Accountability and Transparency:
Lagosians expect their leaders to prioritize effective resource management.
Transparency in public spending builds trust and ensures that poverty reduction funds reach those in need.
Realities: The Challenges of Empowerment
While expectations are valid, the realities are complex:
- Population Growth and Urbanization
With 86 people moving into Lagos every hour, the State faces unique challenges in providing housing, sanitation, and public services. The poverty rate in densely populated areas, such as Makoko and Ajegunle, remains alarmingly high, with some households surviving on less than ₦500 per day.
- Structural Barriers
Issues such as limited access to affordable credit, inefficient transportation systems, and environmental challenges, such as flooding, continue to hinder economic opportunities for the most vulnerable populations.
- Global Economic Shocks
The ripple effects of global challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbated local economic vulnerabilities, pushing an additional 1.6 million Lagosians into poverty between 2020 and 2022.
The Lagos State Example: Pragmatic Solutions
In Lagos, we are not just theorizing; we are implementing solutions that work:
- Skill Acquisition and Vocational Training
Initiatives like CodeLagos and the Agricultural Youth Empowerment Scheme have equipped over 20,000 young people with marketable skills in tech, trades, and agriculture.
In the Creative Sector, we have trained over 6000 youths who have developed their skills in editing, script-writing, acting, and other areas.
Some of our partners are Ebony, Del York, AMAA and Ogidi.
In Science and Technology, the Lagos Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) has N1 billion from which young innovators can draw. Some startups have found their way to fame and fortune, using this platform.
- Infrastructure Development
Projects such as the Blue Line Rail and Red Line rail have contributed thousands of jobs. These, as well as the expansion of 1,000km of roads annually, are improving connectivity, enabling trade, and reducing transportation costs for businesses.
- Health and Education
Investments in free school programs, scholarships for tertiary education, and the provision of 15 million free textbooks annually reflect our commitment to empowering communities through basic services.
- Microfinance and Credit Access
Through the Ibile Microfinance Scheme, over ₦10 billion in loans have been disbursed to small business owners, 60% of whom are women.
A Call to Collective Action
Ladies and gentlemen, poverty alleviation is not an individual sprint but a collective marathon.
Let us be confident in our sheer willpower, our tenacity, our courage, our audacity, and the well-known Spirit of Lagos to fight against the monster of poverty. Together, we will fight. Together, we will win.
Thank you for listening, and God bless our dear Lagos State.
His Excellency Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State delivered this lecture at TheGazelleNews Third Public Lecture which took place at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja on Friday, 5 December, 2024.
