Nigeria’s 2026 Budget Sets Aside Less Than 1 % for Poverty Reduction

Nigeria’s Federal Government has proposed a N58.47 trillion budget for 2026, but only about N206.5 billion—less than one per cent of the total—is earmarked specifically for poverty‑alleviation programmes. This small share has raised questions about the government’s commitment to tackling widespread hardship and economic inequality in the country.

Most of the poverty‑related funding is included in broad central government spending under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy, with only a tiny portion directly allocated to specific ministries and agencies for interventions. Without the large central provisions, individual ministries would receive only a minimal slice of the overall funding for poverty projects.

Critics argue that with millions of Nigerians facing high living costs and economic insecurity, a more substantial and targeted investment is needed to make meaningful progress in reducing poverty. They say the current allocation may be insufficient to support sustainable economic improvements for the most vulnerable.

The 2026 budget figures reflect broader fiscal priorities, with significant portions of the spending plan dedicated to areas such as security, infrastructure, education, and health, while direct poverty‑reduction efforts continue to receive a relatively small slice of the pie.