The Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus initiative has positively impacted the lives of over nine million Nigerians.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this was made known by its National Coordinator, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, while speaking at the fifth Zonal Peer Learning and Experience Sharing Event, held in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.
Obaje emphasized the transformative role the programme has played in poverty eradication efforts across the country.
Obaje expressed optimism about the initiative’s future, noting that NG-CARES has exceeded expectations in reaching vulnerable populations.
“The number of beneficiaries of the intervention is well over nine million,” he revealed. “NG-CARES is poised to assist the state and federal governments in eradicating poverty in Nigeria.”
Highlighting the programme’s broad reach, he added that the scope had been restructured to include even more vulnerable Nigerians, and its success has prompted calls from state governors for additional financial support.
“State governors are requesting the World Bank, through the federal government, to approve more funding,” Obaje stated, confirming that an additional $500 million had already been approved for the programme.
Obaje also mentioned that the initiative is actively engaging beneficiaries through state-level visits across the nation.
“Many of the beneficiaries are sharing testimonies of how the NG-CARES programme has positively impacted their lives,” he said, underscoring the importance of peer-learning events to foster experience sharing and programme improvement.
The programme’s funding has not been solely reliant on international support. Obaje acknowledged the financial contributions from state governments, noting that over N150 billion had been invested in the initiative.
“We have far exceeded our target,” he proudly stated. “State governments are putting their own resources into this programme, showing both belief in the initiative and a commitment to its success.”
Dr. Obaje called for further financial backing from both the federal and state governments, stressing the importance of sustained funding to ensure the continued success of the initiative.
“What we need now is more funding so that the poor in Nigeria can breathe,” he urged.
The World Bank’s Task Team Leader for NG-CARES, Dr. Lire Ersado, echoed Obaje’s sentiments, revealing that the bank had invested $750 million in the initiative thus far.
Represented by Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, a former Task Team Leader, Ersado noted that the programme’s first phase, which is set to conclude in December, had directly and indirectly impacted 30 million Nigerians.
The programme, Ersado stated, has been especially beneficial to farmers, boosting their productivity and contributing to national economic growth.
He also announced that the World Bank had approved an additional $500 million for the second phase of NG-CARES, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to the initiative.
Importantly, Ersado emphasized that the programme’s design prevents it from being hijacked by political interests, ensuring that the funds are used solely for the benefit of the people.
Speaking on behalf of Ondo State, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Emmanuel Igbasan, praised the initiative’s performance, ranking it highly among other World Bank-supported projects in Nigeria.
Represented by Mr. Bamidele Daisi, head of the state’s NG-CARES coordination unit, Igbasan acknowledged the success achieved so far but stressed the need for continuous improvement.
“There is still much work to be done,” Igbasan stated, urging ongoing collaboration between the federal government, state governments, and the World Bank to ensure the programme reaches even greater heights.
The NG-CARES initiative, bolstered by its strong governmental support and international backing, is proving to be a vital tool in Nigeria’s fight against poverty. With the continued commitment of all stakeholders, it holds the potential to transform the lives of millions more in the coming years.
