FG's Legal Duty to Provide Cash Transfers, Says Falana

Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, declared that the Federal Government of Nigeria has a legal obligation to provide cash transfers to poor Nigerians, which should not be viewed as charity. He referenced the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act of 2023, which mandates the government to implement programs aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment.

Falana warned that failure to fund poverty reduction programs could lead to legal action against the government by 2026. He made these statements during a public discussion on poverty alleviation, responding to comments made by Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who urged citizens not to lose hope despite economic challenges.

Falana noted that the Act imposes a statutory obligation on the government to support vulnerable citizens and highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in the management of social investment programs. He also pointed out that approximately 133 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.