Cash transfers alone won’t end poverty, ex-NAPEP boss urges FG to build income

Ex-NAPEP boss Professor Magnus Kpakol has cautioned that cash transfers alone are insufficient to eradicate poverty in Nigeria, urging the Federal Government to prioritize the development of productive capacity and sustainable incomes for citizens. Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS, Kpakol argued that poverty eradication initiatives should be measured by beneficiaries' ability to become economically independent rather than solely relying on cash assistance.

While praising the Federal Government's new poverty reduction program, Kpakol expressed concern over its communication, suggesting that it could be more effective. He emphasized that the program's success should be gauged by beneficiaries' ability to generate sustainable incomes and support others in their communities. Kpakol stressed that cash transfers, though beneficial, should not be considered as a comprehensive poverty-reduction strategy.

He highlighted the need for a "ladder" approach to poverty alleviation, where beneficiaries move from basic support to economic independence through training and capacity-building initiatives. Kpakol also criticized the Federal Government's tendency to implement poverty-reduction programs independently, without adequate collaboration with state governments, citing potential risks such as insufficient resources and political interference.

He stressed the importance of transparency in the selection process of the National Social Register and recommended the inclusion of community-level selection processes akin to those employed during his tenure at NAPEP.