Federal Government launches National Poverty Intelligence Lab to combat poverty in Nigeria
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the National Poverty Intelligence Lab, a data-driven platform aimed at improving the targeting, monitoring, and evaluation of poverty-reduction programs. This initiative seeks to address the estimated 140 million Nigerians living below the poverty line. Dr. Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, unveiled the lab, stating it will serve as a central hub for intelligence and evidence-gathering for the government's anti-poverty interventions. He emphasized that Nigeria's poverty challenge requires a new approach based on data, evidence, and accountability, moving away from assumptions and fragmented interventions. The lab is described as the "intelligence backbone" of Nigeria鈥檚 poverty reduction architecture, providing analytical support for policy formulation, program implementation, resource allocation, and performance assessment. It will support the One Humanitarian One Poverty Response System OHOPRS to harmonize assistance and ensure interventions permanently lift vulnerable households out of poverty. The establishment of the lab is seen as a governance and accountability reform to improve transparency and effectiveness. Mrs. Fumi Ayeni, Country Representative of Innovations for Poverty Action, a partner in the initiative, highlighted that the collaboration will help policymakers understand the needs of vulnerable populations and reduce duplication in programs. Dr. Abimbola Fasanu, Senior Techni
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