ActionAid Nigeria Advocates for Housing Investment to Combat Poverty

On October 17, ActionAid Nigeria called on all levels of government to prioritize safe and affordable housing and strengthen social protection systems to address poverty and inequality in Nigeria. This appeal coincided with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed under the theme “Safe Homes for All.” ActionAid Nigeria reported that approximately 133 million Nigerians, or 63 percent of the population, were living in multidimensional poverty according to the National Bureau of Statistics’ 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index.

Additionally, the World Bank estimated that 123 million Nigerians lived in extreme monetary poverty in 2025. A September 2026 assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organisation indicated that 36.3 million Nigerians faced acute food insecurity during the June–August 2026 lean season.

Dr Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, emphasized that poverty is sustained by inequality and exclusion, calling for public budgets that prioritize citizens’ welfare and economic policies that create decent jobs.