Makinde’s Multi-pronged Strategy Tames Multi-dimensional Poverty In Oyo

Addressing Poverty in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Approach to Sustainable Development

Understanding the Scope of Poverty in Nigeria

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed in its 2022 National Multi-dimensional Poverty Index that approximately 133 million Nigerians-about 63% of the population-live in multi-dimensional poverty. This staggering figure highlights the depth of deprivation across the country, with 86 million (65%) residing in the northern regions and nearly 47 million (35%) in the southern parts.

While the global poverty line is often defined as living on less than $2.15 per day, the NBS employs a broader, multi-dimensional framework to capture the complex realities of poverty. This approach goes beyond income, focusing on non-monetary factors that perpetuate poverty, including health, education, living standards, employment, and exposure to shocks such as insecurity.

Key Dimensions of Poverty: A Holistic View

The NBS categorizes poverty determinants as follows:

• Health: Encompasses nutrition, food security, and access to healthcare services.
• Education: Measured by school attendance, years of schooling, and delays in education progression.
• Living Standards: Assessed through access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities.
• Work: Includes unemployment and underemployment rates.
• Shocks: Primarily related to security challenges and their impact on livelihoods.

This multi-faceted understanding aligns with definitions from global institutions such as the United Nations and the World Bank, both of which emphasize poverty as a denial of opportunities and a state of deprivation affecting well-being, dignity, and participation in society.

Poverty as a Barrier to Human Potential

Research from Princeton University in 2013 underscored poverty’s profound psychological impact. The study, “Poverty Impedes Cognitive Function,” demonstrated that the mental burden of managing scarce resources consumes significant cognitive capacity, leaving individuals with diminished ability to focus on long-term goals like education, skill development, and financial planning. This cognitive overload traps many in a cycle of poverty, as immediate survival demands overshadow efforts to improve their circumstances.

Oyo State’s Strategic Fight Against Poverty: The Makinde Model

Long before the NBS report, Oyo State, under Governor Seyi Makinde, embarked on a transformative journey to eradicate poverty through a four-pillar strategy focusing on Health, Education, Economic Growth, and Security. This vision is encapsulated in the state’s development blueprints spanning 2019 to 2027.

Enhancing Healthcare Access and Quality

Governor Makinde’s “One Ward One Primary HealthCare Centre” initiative has revolutionized healthcare delivery by upgrading nearly 300 primary health centers (PHCs), with 264 fully equipped to provide comprehensive services. These Level 3 facilities include essential amenities such as staff accommodation, perimeter fencing, potable water, and reliable electricity-supported by solar panels and generators to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions have also seen significant improvements, including Adeoyo Maternity Hospital and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. The annual Omituntun Free Health Mission has provided free medical services to over two million residents across all 33 local government areas, enhancing community health outcomes.

Boosting Food Security and Agricultural Productivity

To strengthen food security, the state government supports smallholder farmers through subsidies, such as covering 50% of tractor hiring costs, reducing operational expenses. A pioneering digital soil testing program now offers precise soil data to farmers in 100 communities, enabling optimized crop yields.

Over 10,000 farmers have received high-yield agricultural inputs, including improved maize seeds, cassava stems, and crop protection chemicals. Additionally, 21,000 bags of fertilizer were distributed to 10,500 farmers, while over 3,000 farmers benefited from a ₦1 billion agricultural credit loan scheme, facilitating access to capital for farm expansion.

Livestock farmers have also been supported with feed and vaccinations, including free immunization of 250,000 sheep/goats and 120,000 cattle, contributing to healthier herds and increased productivity. These efforts helped Oyo State achieve one of the lowest food inflation rates nationwide as of February 2025.

Transforming Education for Future Generations

Governor Makinde views education as a catalyst for individual empowerment and societal progress. Upon assuming office in 2019, he abolished the ₦3,000 school fee for primary and secondary education, enabling over 80,000 out-of-school children to return to classrooms. This move significantly reduced the state’s out-of-school population, previously the highest in South West Nigeria.

Committed to UNESCO’s recommendation, the government allocates between 15-20% of its budget to education, facilitating the renovation of nearly 1,000 classrooms and the completion of over 60 model schools. Free textbooks and exercise books have been distributed to secondary students, enhancing learning resources.

Higher education institutions have also benefited, with salary arrears cleared and bursaries awarded to students in law, medicine, aviation, and other fields. The 2020 transfer of sole ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) to Oyo State marked a turning point, with the university now recognized among Nigeria’s top institutions.

Restoring Reliable Water Supply

After years of inconsistent service, the Water Corporation of Oyo State (WCOS) has revitalized water distribution in key areas. Efforts include restoring electricity to waterworks such as Asejire and Eleyele, enabling partial restoration of supply in Ibadan, Oyo, Eruwa, and Ogbomoso. Challenges remain, particularly in Saki due to external power supply issues, but ongoing collaboration with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) aims to resolve these.

Promoting Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene

Governor Makinde prioritizes a clean environment as essential for attracting investment and tourism. The administration has enacted environmental laws, established the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED) to educate the public, and partnered with UNICEF to eliminate open defecation by 2028. Collaboration with the World Bank’s SURWASH program further strengthens water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.

To enforce these policies, the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority works alongside other agencies to uphold environmental standards, ensuring a healthier and more attractive living environment.

Driving Employment and Economic Empowerment

Governor Makinde’s tenure is marked by unprecedented job creation. Over 20,000 jobs have been generated, including the recruitment of 5,000 secondary school teachers in his first term and thousands more across various sectors in his current term. Notable hires include 500 officers for the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), 561 Amotekun security operatives, and thousands of healthcare workers and civil servants.

Efforts to convert ad-hoc staff to permanent positions and absorb outsourced workers into state institutions further stabilize employment and improve service delivery.

Ensuring Security and Stability

Oyo State’s reputation for peace and security was affirmed during the 2024 retreat of retired Inspectors General of Police held in Ibadan. Governor Makinde’s collaborative approach with federal security agencies has enhanced safety through initiatives such as the Police Mobile Force 72 Squadron and the establishment of a Nigeria Air Force base in Ajia.

The state has also invested in over 500 patrol vehicles and established the well-equipped Amotekun security network, which plays a vital role in maintaining law and order. Plans to acquire two surveillance aircraft aim to further bolster security against threats like banditry and kidnapping.

Expanding Road Infrastructure to Spur Development

Infrastructure development has been a cornerstone of Governor Makinde’s administration, with nearly 600 kilometers of roads constructed or rehabilitated, linking all zones within the state. Key routes such as Moniya-Iseyin and Oyo-Iseyin roads have enhanced connectivity, facilitating trade and mobility.

Research indicates that a 10% increase in road infrastructure correlates with a 5.16% reduction in poverty, underscoring the economic impact of these investments. As Governor Makinde often states, “where roads go, development follows,” reflecting the strategic role of infrastructure in poverty alleviation.

Fostering Social Inclusion and Protection

The Oyo State Health Insurance Agency provides vulnerable populations-including students, pregnant women, artisans, and pensioners-with access to affordable healthcare, eliminating the burden of out-of-pocket medical expenses. Additionally, the government ensures timely pension payments and has increased pension amounts to improve retirees’ quality of life.

Conclusion

Oyo State’s multi-dimensional strategy under Governor Seyi Makinde exemplifies a holistic and pragmatic approach to poverty reduction. By addressing health, education, economic empowerment, security, and infrastructure simultaneously, the state is charting a sustainable path from poverty to prosperity. This model offers valuable lessons for other regions grappling with similar challenges, demonstrating that coordinated policy and committed leadership can transform lives and communities.