ActionAid Nigeria has called for sustained economic growth, lower inflation and greater accountability in public revenue management to ensure that Nigeria’s 4.2 per cent gross domestic product growth in the first half of 2026 translates into improved living conditions for citizens.
The organisation made this known in its response to the World Bank’s October 2026 Nigeria Development Update, noting that improved economic indicators have yet to translate into meaningful improvements in the living conditions of millions of Nigerians.
ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Dr Andrew Mamedu, said economic progress should be measured by its impact on household incomes, employment and access to essential services, rather than growth figures alone.
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He noted that although Federation revenues rose by 69 per cent in real terms between 2023 and 2025, education’s share of aggregate state expenditure fell from 14.9 per cent in 2021 to 12.1 per cent in 2025, while health spending remained around seven per cent.
The organisation called on Nigerian and state governments to publish transparent expenditure reports showing how increased revenues are being invested in public services and poverty reduction.
On rising living costs, ActionAid welcomed the Nigerian Government’s 30-day petrol price relief initiative but described it as inadequate to address sustained increases in transportation and food costs.
The organisation urged the government to pursue double-digit economic growth, reduce inflation to single digits, provide affordable electricity, tackle insecurity and expand access to financing for small businesses.
It also called for stronger social protection, decent wages and productive investment in agriculture, manufacturing and renewable energy.
ActionAid stressed that economic reforms should ultimately be judged by their ability to reduce poverty, improve purchasing power and create decent jobs, insisting that rising government revenues must deliver tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians.
