Poverty, Policy and The Forgotten Social Development Act: Rebuilding A Coherent Governance Framework

Prince Chris Azor

Recent projections by PwC that Nigeria’s poverty rate may rise to 62 percent by 2026 should concern every authority entrusted with public responsibility. When read alongside the World Bank’s data showing a steady increase in the number of Nigerians living below the poverty line, it becomes clear that Nigeria is facing not just an economic challenge, but a deep governance failure in how social wellbeing is planned, delivered and protected.

For most citizens, the slide into deeper poverty followed deliberate Policy choices. The removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira were introduced as necessary reforms. Nigerians were urged to endure temporary hardship with assurances that adequate relief and protection would follow. That promise has not been kept in any consistent or transparent manner.
Transport costs rose sharply. Food prices escalated.

While there has been a slight easing in some food prices in recent period, authorities must be honest about the reason. This moderation is largely seasonal, driven by harvest cycles, and not by any structural improvement in household incomes or cost of living conditions. Once the harvest window closes, prices are likely to spike again unless deeper issues of production costs, energy, logistics and exchange rate pressures are addressed.
PwC’s observation that food accounts for up to 70 percent of spending among low income households makes this vulnerability even more severe.

Social protection in Nigeria must be understood for what it is ; a binding obligation, not a discretionary gesture. The Constitution places responsibility on the State to promote the welfare and security of the people. This duty is reinforced by international instruments Nigeria has ratified, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which is domesticated in Nigerian law. The commitment under the Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty further affirms that government action in this area is mandatory, not optional.
Despite these obligations, current social protection measures remain weak, fragmented, opaque and poorly accounted for. Announcements of palliatives and cash transfers have not been matched by clear public reporting on coverage, targeting, inclusion or outcomes. Without transparency and accountability, such interventions lose credibility and fail to reach those most in need.

The situation is worsened by the continued failure to fully implement local government autonomy. Local Councils are closest to the People and best positioned to identify vulnerable households and respond quickly. Their financial and administrative dependence have undermined grassroots social protection. The President’s recent commitment to ensure the implementation of local government autonomy is therefore welcome, but it must now be followed by concrete action backed by political will.

Beyond government, Social Protection cannot succeed without the active involvement of Civil Society and Citizens. Civil society Organisations, Faith Based groups, Professional Bodies and Community Networks have deep local presence and trust. They are critical for identifying needs, supporting delivery and strengthening oversight. Citizens themselves must be treated as partners in planning and implementation, not merely as recipients of relief. Inclusion and partnership are essential to any credible system.

A functional Social Protection framework must be co-owned by Government, Civil Society, the Private Sector and Communities. This shared responsibility helps close trust gaps, improves targeting and reduces waste.

There is also a major institutional gap that must be urgently addressed. Nigeria once envisioned a coordinated framework through the Social Development Act of 2004. That Act was designed to provide a deliberate architecture for Social Protection and welfare. Over time, it has been neglected, leaving interventions reactive and fragmented.
Reviving and strengthening the Social Development Act is therefore, imperative. Nigeria needs a clear governance framework that defines responsibilities across Federal, State and Local Governments, embeds Citizen and Civil Society participation and ensures sustainable funding and accountability.

The warnings from PwC and the World Bank are not abstract. Rising poverty threatens social cohesion, economic stability and national peace. A society where most people struggle to meet basic needs cannot sustain growth or democratic legitimacy and development.

The path forward is clear. Social Protection must be treated as a mandatory function of governance, grounded in constitutional and international obligations. And integrity Local government autonomy must be implemented in practice. Civil Society and Citizens should be deliberately included as partners. And Nigeria must rebuild a coherent framework for social protection by intentionally and deliberately implementing the Social Development Act.

Poverty is the outcome of Policy choices. With political will, inclusive partnership and accountable leadership, Nigeria can choose a path that places human dignity and shared responsibility at the centre of governance.

Prince Chris Azor is a Citizen advocate, and President, International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC)
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