By Israel Adebiyi

With Nigerians struggling under the weight of skyrocketing living costs, advocacy groups are calling for a shift in poverty alleviation strategies from short-term palliatives to sustainable livelihood support. This, they argue, is the only way to ensure long-term self-sufficiency for families grappling with economic hardship.

Human rights campaigner, Dr. Mike Uyi, made this recommendation while assessing a model deployed by a member of the Governing Council of the North-West Development Commission and Founder of the Tinubu Support Group, Honourable Aminu Suleiman.

According to Dr. Uyi, many interventions in Nigeria’s poverty alleviation efforts have centered on distributing food items and other consumables, which, while offering temporary relief, do little to address the root causes of economic hardship.

He noted that Honourable Suleiman's approach to empowerment focuses on livelihood support, which provides individuals and families with the necessary tools, skills, and resources to generate their own income. This, he emphasized, is a more sustainable solution compared to periodic distribution of food items that offer only short-lived relief.

Dr. Uyi urged governments at the subnational and grassroots levels to adopt similar models, stressing that true economic empowerment comes from equipping people with the means to fend for themselves. 

"Poverty can only be conquered when individuals and families are empowered to independently cater to their needs rather than relying on intermittent handouts," he stated.

Economic analysts have also weighed in on the conversation, emphasizing that while palliatives serve an immediate need, they do not address systemic economic challenges. Many have advocated for investment in vocational training, small-scale enterprises, and access to credit facilities as key strategies for sustainable poverty reduction.

As inflation continues to erode purchasing power and living costs remain high, the call for a shift in poverty alleviation strategies is growing louder. Experts argue that only through long-term economic empowerment programs can Nigeria begin to reduce dependency and foster true financial independence for its citizens.