Abuja: ActionAid Nigeria, in collaboration with various stakeholders, has launched the Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOTiON) to promote collective action in addressing social and institutional poverty within the country. This initiative aims to unite Nigerians from diverse groups such as mass democratic and workers’ organizations, pro-democracy movements, social justice advocates, and women and youth groups.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the theme for 2025 is ‘Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment by Ensuring Respect and Effective Support for Families’. At the event, Mr. Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, emphasized the initiative’s focus on promoting citizen engagement to reduce poverty and improve governance. Mamedu highlighted World Bank estimates indicating that about 139 million Nigerians live in poverty, underscoring the need for dialogue and collaboration to tackle this issue.
Mamedu outlined the movement’s objectives, which include enhancing democratic processes, boosting leadership accountability, and addressing poverty through inclusive reforms. He urged the government to comply with the Electoral Act 2022, strengthen the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and maintain transparency in public administration. He also called for sufficient funding for anti-corruption agencies and adherence to open tendering processes in public procurement.
The movement aims to work with partners to identify and address factors contributing to poverty, such as weak institutions, corruption, and limited access to basic services. Mamedu reaffirmed ActionAid’s commitment to its 10-year strategy of helping five million Nigerians escape poverty by 2035, stressing that achieving this goal requires deliberate governmental action, especially at the sub-national level, through effective policy implementation.
He recalled the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report from 2022, which stated that 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, primarily in rural areas. Mrs. Hauwa Mustapha, Convener of MOTiON, emphasized the initiative’s aim to promote collaboration among citizens and groups dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger. She outlined MOTiON’s priorities, including credible elections, expansion of school feeding programs, effective implementation of cash transfer initiatives, anti-corruption measures, and job creation.
Mustapha called for joint efforts to improve living conditions and ensure better opportunities for future generations. Participants at the launch event carried placards advocating for good governance, equity, and improved social welfare.