‘30% FG, 70% donors’—Tinubu sets up poverty alleviation trust fund

President Bola Tinubu has established a humanitarian and poverty alleviation trust fund for the country.

Betta Edu, the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, made the announcement on Friday on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.

Edu said 30 percent of the funding is expected to come from the federal government while the balance of 70 percent is expected from donor agencies.

According to the minister, the fund would have several governing cadres with a structure that would show accountability and transparency.

“Thirty percent of the funding expected in this trust fund will be coming from the government of Nigeria, and it is expected that the rest of this funding comes from other nations, the United Nations, donor agencies, philanthropic individuals, private sector, who we want to bring fully into the space amongst other forms of innovative fundraising,” she said.

“The essence is for us to be able to adequately address the issues which we face on the ground as a matter of urgency. 

“I’m sure we already know that the president declared a state of emergency on food security in Nigeria. He equally had a state of emergency on other things like humanitarian crisis and our ability to provide durable solutions.”

Edu said the government was counting on the support of the international community and development partners to provide adequate support in tackling poverty in Nigeria.

“And as we make plans to come in and address this need, what must be key at the back of our minds is providing durable solutions,” she added.

“We must be able to address education for these persons, we must be able to address their livelihood, we must be able to address their reintegration back into communities, we must be able to address their resettlement, including the provision of proper shelter for them to stay in. 

“We must be able to address their GPV needs amongst other things and we’re counting on your support.”

Edu said the number of persons affected by the humanitarian crisis in the country is expected to rise and asked concerned parties to act fast.

She added that the government is seeking urgent international support to address human and climate-induced displacement and poverty in the country.

Martin Griffiths, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, welcomed the initiative, saying it would take more than the efforts of the government to tackle humanitarian issues.