ABUJA – The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas,
has stressed the importance of adopting community-focused strategies to effectively combat poverty and social inequality across Nigeria.
Speaking during the inauguration of the House Committee on Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA)/NG-CARES at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Wednesday, 7th May 2025, the Speaker, represented by Minority Whip, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, said that urgent and targeted grassroots interventions were crucial in addressing the widening socio-economic gap in the country.
According to Abbas, “With the rising cost of living eroding household incomes and deepening inequality, Nigeria must urgently deploy structured, community-based mechanisms capable of delivering tangible poverty reduction and economic empowerment at the grassroots.”
He emphasised that poverty in Nigeria goes beyond lack of income, touching on inadequate infrastructure and limited access to basic services. Hence, the formation of the committee was essential to promoting inclusive growth and social cohesion.
“Community and social development are at the core of national progress. They provide essential channels for achieving equitable growth and ensuring that all regions of the country are active participants in our collective development journey,” the Speaker noted.
Abbas explained that properly executed, community-led initiatives not only deliver services but also strengthen social capital, foster local ownership, and promote sustainable outcomes that go beyond political cycles.
He added that data from the National Bureau of Statistics consistently affirms the positive impact of such localized interventions on poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, and economic activity.
The Speaker also highlighted the critical roles of the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) and the NG-CARES initiative, especially in the wake of post-pandemic economic challenges, inflation, and fragile livelihoods.
He said, “Supported by the World Bank, NG-CARES has reached over two million Nigerians through livelihood support, cash transfers, and access to essential services—demonstrating the effectiveness of decentralised, performance-driven interventions in cushioning economic shocks.”
CSDA, he noted, has directly impacted over 23 million Nigerians in 29 states through its projects, reinforcing its importance in fostering grassroots development and democratic stability.
“These interventions not only offer relief but also rebuild trust in governance, particularly in communities previously neglected by state infrastructure. They help reduce dependency, break cycles of discontent, and reinforce the legitimacy of the Nigerian state,” he added.
Speaker Abbas stated that the Committee’s mandate includes evaluating policies, programmes, and projects aimed at advancing development in rural and semi-urban communities, and recommending appropriate measures to the House.
In his remarks, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Kusada, said the NG-CARES initiative provides a platform for transforming government policies into practical solutions that address the needs of the vulnerable population.
He revealed that the Committee had already developed a comprehensive work plan designed to guide its oversight functions and ensure strategic collaboration with stakeholders, with the goal of enabling CSDA to meet its developmental targets.