By Chesa Chesa
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday unveiled five major development programmes valued at about $3.05 billion, describing them as a decisive step towards reducing poverty, strengthening human capital and improving service delivery across Nigeria.
The programmes, supported by the World Bank, include the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Additional Financing, the Solutions for Internally Displaced and Host Communities (SOLID) Programme, and the three components of the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) initiative—HOPE-GOV, HOPE-PHC and HOPE-EDU.
Speaking during the launch in Abuja, Tinubu, who was represented by Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, said the initiatives represented fulfilled promises under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and would ensure that the benefits of ongoing economic reforms reached ordinary Nigerians.
“These are not just programmes; they are promises kept,” the President said.
“We came into office pledging to reform our economy, secure the nation and invest in our people. Today, we act on that pledge by protecting the vulnerable, empowering communities and building the human capital that will carry Nigeria forward.”
Tinubu said the programmes were being introduced at a time when the country’s economic reforms were beginning to yield measurable results.
According to him, economic growth has strengthened, investor confidence is improving and the gains must now translate into better living conditions for citizens.
“Real prosperity means no Nigerian is left behind on our journey to a one trillion-dollar economy by 2030,” he said.
The President explained that the programmes align with the Renewed Hope Development Plan 2026–2030, which focuses on economic diversification, human capital development and strengthening state institutions.
He said the initiatives would help transform macroeconomic stability into tangible improvements in livelihoods across communities.
Highlighting the administration’s economic achievements, Tinubu said Nigeria recorded 11.2 per cent real GDP growth and nearly 10 per cent growth in per capita income in U.S. dollar terms last year, with similar performance expected this year.
He added that the country’s foreign reserves had risen above $50 billion, while inflation had declined significantly from its 2024 peak.
“These are not abstract figures. They are the foundation for the next phase of our national development, making sure that this recovery reaches every Nigerian,” he said.
The President also disclosed that the Federal Government’s expanded cash transfer programme had reached 15 million vulnerable households, lifting an estimated 7.5 million people out of poverty.
Giving a breakdown of the new programmes, Tinubu said the $1.25 billion NG-CARES Additional Financing would support smallholder farmers and small businesses to improve livelihoods and strengthen economic resilience.
He explained that the $300 million SOLID Programme would bridge humanitarian assistance and long-term development by investing in infrastructure, livelihoods and essential services for internally displaced persons and their host communities.
“This is how we rebuild not just homes but hope,” he said.
Tinubu said the $1.5 billion HOPE Programme, comprising HOPE-GOV, HOPE-PHC and HOPE-EDU, would strengthen governance at the sub-national level, improve primary healthcare services, enhance foundational learning in public schools and support teachers.
He stressed that the five programmes formed a single coordinated national strategy aimed at poverty reduction, community resilience and human capital development.
“The programmes are not separate efforts. They are one coordinated national strategy for poverty reduction, human capital development and community resilience,” he said.
