Tinubu Unveils $3.05bn Plan to Fight Poverty, Boost Health and Education
By Victor Idajili
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday launched five new social and development programmes worth $3.05 billion, describing them as a major push to cut poverty, strengthen communities and invest in Nigerians.
He was represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy,Taiwo Oyedele.
Tinubu said the interventions are part of his Renewed Hope Agenda and are meant to turn recent economic reforms into real benefits for people at the grassroots.
“On our Renewed Hope Agenda, we came into office pledging to reform our economy, secure the nation, and invest in our people.
Today, we act on that pledge; protecting the vulnerable, empowering communities, and building the human capital that will carry Nigeria forward,” he said.
The package is built around three main initiatives:
NG-CARES – $1.25 billion Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus. Additional Financing
Funded with additional World Bank support. It will help smallholder farmers and small businesses bounce back from economic shocks.
Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and Host Communities Designed to link emergency relief with long-term development for IDPs and the communities hosting them.HOPE – $1.5 billion Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity.
A three-part programme HOPE Gov Strengthen governance and service delivery .HOPE PHC Jmprove primary healthcare . HOPE Edu: Boost basic education and learning outcomes
Tinubu said the five programmes are “one coordinated national strategy” that connects livelihoods, health, education, social protection and support for displaced persons “where it matters most at the grassroots.”
Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, called it a “whole-of-government response” to rising living costs. He blamed part of the pressure on global issues like the Ukraine-Russia war and Middle East conflict that have pushed up energy prices.
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Health, said HOPE PHC will get $570 million to upgrade thousands of primary healthcare centres, improve access to drugs and equipment, and use performance-based financing.
He added that over 3,000 PHCs have already been upgraded to Level 2, another 1,000 are almost done, and more than 69,000 health workers have been trained, with 60,000 given uniforms and kits. The goal is to reach about 40 million people and reduce maternal and under-five deaths.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, said HOPE Edu will get $562 million with support from the World Bank and Global Partnership for Education. It will cover 65,000 public schools, support 500,000 teachers, fund school construction and innovation, and reach nearly 30 million children in all 36 states and the FCT.
Dr. Bernard Doro, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, said the plan shows “no Nigerian, however remote or displaced, is beyond the reach of this government’s care.”
Matthew Burges, World Bank Country Representative, called it “an investment in Nigeria’s greatest asset: its people,” adding that the HOPE series will build stronger education and health systems.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, speaking for the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, pledged that the 36 states will work with the FG and partners to deliver the programmes.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, also promised the National Assembly’s support through laws and oversight.
