The federal government of Nigeria intends to pull 50 million people—more than Ghana’s current population of 34 million—out of poverty within 42 months, according to Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr. Betta Edu.
As of December 22, 2023, Ghana’s population is 34,431,532 according to the latest United Nations data from Worldometer.
She made this statement during an interview with Channels TV on Thursday.
Edu said the effort will be collaborative between her ministry and other interested ministries to ensure economic growth.
The minister emphasized President Tinubu’s deliberate efforts in poverty alleviation programmes to assist the country’s vulnerable population.
She said: “We are drawing out a strategy to be able to get 50 million persons out of poverty as within 42 months. Now, that is not just going to be only the job of my ministry to do. There is going to be an inter sectorial collaboration with other ministries, for instance, the ministry of trade and industries. Of course, they have the SMEs and the president has provided some loans for persons doing small little businesses across the nation.
“Government is very intentional. President Bola Tinubu is someone who cares about the poor and the vulnerable in the society. He does all within his power to ensure that the pain is taken off from Nigerians.
“There are different strategies. We are working with international partners and the World Bank. What is at the back of our mind is that fifty million people would be pulled out of poverty in 42 months.”