Our Solutions

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, faces a persistent and multifaceted crisis of poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 133 million Nigerians—approximately 63% of the population—are multidimensionally poor, lacking access to basic needs such as healthcare, education, housing, and income-generating opportunities. This crisis disproportionately affects widows, orphans, persons with disabilities, unemployed youths, and other vulnerable groups who are often excluded from traditional development frameworks and social safety nets.

One of the most alarming dimensions of this problem is the high youth unemployment rate, which stood at 34.9% in recent reports. Young people, especially those from low-income families, face barriers to self-reliance due to limited access to skills training, mentorship, and dignified work. Without targeted interventions, this demographic challenge continues to fuel cycles of poverty, crime, and despair.

Widows and female-headed households are particularly marginalised. In many Nigerian communities, cultural norms deprive them of inheritance rights and social support. As a result, they are left with few options for survival, leading to increased vulnerability, hunger, and malnutrition. Similarly, orphans and children from impoverished homes are often denied access to quality education and proper care, leaving them exposed to exploitation, trafficking, and long-term disadvantage.

Compounding these issues is the neglect of former inmates and detainees, who are frequently stigmatised and excluded from reintegration opportunities. Most prisons lack rehabilitation programmes, and the absence of post-release support leads many into recidivism or chronic poverty. This highlights the urgent need for compassion-driven reentry programmes that restore dignity and rebuild lives.

Beyond economic deprivation, these challenges are deeply rooted in systemic underinvestment in the social sector, inadequate empowerment structures, and weak community-based support systems. Many vulnerable individuals lack not just resources, but also access to platforms that build their capacity, voice, and agency.

Furthermore, malnutrition, a key indicator of social and economic breakdown, continues to rise due to poverty, food insecurity, and poor dietary knowledge. This not only affects physical health but also impedes educational attainment, productivity, and long-term societal progress.

All of these issues intersect with violations of human rights, widespread injustice, and a lack of peacebuilding mechanisms in many communities. Disputes often escalate due to poor access to mediation, leading to prolonged conflict and instability.