The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has called for deeper collaboration among the government, humanitarian organisations and development partners to ensure that ongoing economic reforms translate into improved livelihoods for Nigerians, particularly vulnerable and underserved communities.
Speaking at the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Nigeria Impact Showcase in Abuja on Tuesday, Senator Bagudu said the complexity of Nigeria’s development challenges requires collective action. He acknowledged the critical role played by organisations that complement government efforts by identifying gaps and reaching communities that might otherwise be left behind.
The minister commended CRS for its humanitarian interventions and commitment to inclusion, noting that its work transcends religious boundaries and contributes significantly to Nigeria’s development aspirations.
He noted that events such as the CRS Impact Showcase provide government and development partners with an opportunity to assess progress, identify areas requiring improvement and strengthen collaboration to achieve greater impact.
Senator Bagudu emphasised that the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are necessary steps towards repositioning the Nigerian economy, increasing productivity and laying a stronger foundation for sustainable growth.
According to him, the government recognises that major reforms often affect different segments of society in varying ways. This informed the introduction of targeted interventions to support those most affected, including low-income households, small businesses, traders and farmers.
“Whenever you implement bold reforms, whether at the family, community or national level, they will have disproportionate effects on different parts of the population. Therefore, we have to be more deliberate,” he said.
The minister explained that Nigeria’s economic realities have also been shaped by global disruptions, including ongoing international conflicts, trade tensions, rising energy costs and increasing prices of agricultural inputs such as fertiliser.
He noted that these pressures have adversely affected farmers, transport operators, businesses and households, making partnerships with humanitarian and development organisations even more critical.
The minister explained that Nigeria’s economic realities have also been shaped by global disruptions, including ongoing international conflicts, trade tensions, rising energy costs and increasing prices of agricultural inputs such as fertiliser.
He noted that these pressures have adversely affected farmers, transport operators, businesses and households, making partnerships with humanitarian and development organisations even more critical.
Learning from Organisations
While acknowledging the government’s interventions, Senator Bagudu admitted that more efforts are needed to ensure support reaches those who need it most. He stressed the importance of learning from organisations with extensive grassroots experience.
“We must recognise that those who have been supporting us should continue to work with the government so that where our reach has not been effective, we can strengthen it. Equally, where we have lessons to learn, we should be humble enough to acknowledge them,” he said.
The minister further noted that Nigeria’s federal structure provides opportunities for stronger collaboration among the Federal, State and Local Governments, as well as organisations committed to humanitarian assistance, empowerment and inclusive development.
He assured CRS and other development partners of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to partnerships that advance national development objectives and improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.
