New Initiative to Combat Poverty in South West Nigeria

The "Transform Communities" initiative was launched to alleviate poverty for millions in South West Nigeria, spearheaded by Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka. The program aims to increase daily incomes from 2, 10, to 15 naira over the next three to four years.

It will focus on developing integrated hubs in clusters of three to five villages, each with populations ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 people. The initiative will provide critical infrastructure, including electricity, water, roads, schools, clinics, and internet access, to create livable rural environments and prevent urban migration.

The program also addresses post-harvest losses, which account for 70% of agricultural production losses due to poor infrastructure. The South West Development Commission (SWDC) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture are key partners in this initiative.

Mr. Femi Alaka from SWDC emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, private sector, and communities to achieve sustainable development.