88.4 Million Nigerians At Risk Of Dire Hunger, Extreme Poverty — FG

News in Brief: -Alarming new data reveals 88.4 million Nigerians are at risk of falling into hunger and extreme poverty. -The government, acknowledging agriculture's vital role, pledges support through initiatives like empowering smallholder farmers with resources and training. A stark statistic emerged recently as the Nigerian government revealed that 88.4 million people in the country are living in extreme poverty. The alarming figure, presented by Temitope Fadeshemi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, highlights the immense challenge Nigeria faces in addressing poverty and improving the lives of its citizens. Fadeshemi opined that the level of poverty in Nigeria is alarming during the distribution of farm inputs to 250 smallholder farmers in Kaduna. According to him, about 88.4 million people are living in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $1.90 per day. Furthermore, he broke down the figures, revealing that nearly 45 million men and 44 million women struggle with extreme poverty in Nigeria. This represents a staggering 12.9% of the global population living in extreme poverty, concentrated within the nation's borders. Meantime, recognising the urgency of the situation, the federal government pledged its commitment to empowering smallholder farmers, who are considered the backbone of the agricultural sector and drivers of national prosperity. Through the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), the government aims to equip farmers with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to overcome poverty and contribute to economic growth. He also added that initiatives like training and empowerment programmes are crucial for starting the trek towards positive change.