By Seyi Odewale
An All Progressives Congress chieftain in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged President Bola Tinubu to strengthen social intervention programmes to cushion economic hardship.
Oyintiloye called for a comprehensive review of Federal Government interventions covering youth employment, skills development, cash transfers, school feeding, agriculture and other social protection initiatives.
The former lawmaker made the call while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
He said the programmes should be assessed against measurable outcomes, including employment creation, household purchasing power, productivity and improvements in living conditions.
Oyintiloye said government must ensure that allocated funds reach intended beneficiaries and produce measurable results.
“Such interventions must have clear targets, transparent beneficiary selection, strong monitoring and measurable performance indicators to minimise leakages, duplication and abuse.”
The APC chieftain commended Tinubu for allocating N462.66 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
He, however, said the scale of economic hardship required stronger implementation and monitoring to ensure the funds achieve their intended purpose.
Oyintiloye compared Nigeria’s projected 2026 poverty level of about 62 to 63 per cent with Ghana’s reported multidimensional poverty rate of 21.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2025.
He also called for improved workers’ allowances and welfare packages, arguing that stronger household incomes would boost purchasing power, stimulate local businesses and help families meet essential needs.
The former lawmaker warned against allowing vested interests to undermine government intervention programmes.
“Since the intervention programmes are meant to alleviate poverty among the masses, every necessary strategy must be in place to ensure that allocated money has positive impacts on the lives of less privileged Nigerians.”
Oyintiloye said the government’s economic measures, including the removal of fuel subsidy and monetary policy reforms, were part of efforts to reposition the economy.
He urged Nigerians to remain supportive of the administration while it works to address the country’s economic challenges.
“The hardship Nigerians are presently facing will soon be a thing of the past. Indeed, the economy is not in good shape, and there is poverty in the land, but the President is not sleeping on all these.”
He added, “We all just need to keep praying for the country and continue to play our part to support him in achieving his good plans for the upliftment of the country.”
