ActionAid Nigeria has called for greater transparency in public spending and stronger accountability mechanisms, arguing that efforts to eradicate poverty must address not only economic hardship but also how government resources are managed and how vulnerable citizens participate in policymaking.

The organisation said women, young people, persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons must have a meaningful voice in decisions on policies and programmes designed to improve their lives.

Its Country Director, Dr Andrew Mamedu, made the call on Saturday in Abuja while delivering a goodwill message at the 2026 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Mamedu cited World Bank figures estimating that 123 million Nigerians, representing 50.8 per cent of the population, lived in extreme poverty in 2025.

He said millions of families continued to struggle with rising living costs, insecurity, displacement, climate-related shocks and inadequate access to essential services.

The ActionAid director argued that poverty eradication required more than humanitarian assistance, stressing that public institutions must be transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of people experiencing deprivation.

He also called for better coordination among government institutions to ensure that poverty reduction policies translated into meaningful improvements in people’s lives.

The event, organised around the theme, “United for Peace and Human Rights: Safe Homes for All,” placed housing insecurity at the centre of discussions on poverty and human dignity.

Mamedu said a safe home was more than a roof over a family’s head, describing it as a foundation for security, education, health and economic opportunity.

He cited United Nations estimates indicating that more than 2.8 billion people worldwide experienced some form of inadequate housing, while over 300 million lacked a place to call home.

According to him, inadequate housing exposes families to insecurity, poor health outcomes, interrupted education and deeper economic hardship.

He maintained that access to adequate housing should be recognised as a fundamental component of human dignity and poverty reduction, rather than a privilege available only to a few.

Mamedu urged government and development partners to ensure that poverty reduction programmes reflected the experiences and priorities of affected communities.

He also commended the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the European Union, development partners and civil society organisations for their efforts to address poverty and inequality.

The ActionAid director stressed that people living in poverty should not be treated merely as recipients of charity but as citizens with rights, aspirations and the capacity to influence decisions affecting their future.

He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to working with government, development partners and communities to tackle the structural causes of poverty and advance social justice.

Mamedu said a Nigeria free from extreme poverty was achievable if citizens could access safe housing, essential services, effective social protection and fair economic opportunities.