TMSG denies $1bn anti-poverty scheme is reaction to opposition campaign

Pro-government group denies $1bn anti-poverty scheme is reaction to opposition campaign

A pro-government media group has rejected claims that the Nigerian government’s new $1bn (£760m) social protection initiative was hurriedly put together to counter opposition campaign rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) said the “Renewed Hope Social Protection Programme” (HOPE-SP) was a carefully planned, long-term strategy designed to tackle poverty following economic reforms, rather than a panic response to criticism.

The statement comes after the main opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) suggested the scheme was launched to offset campaign promises by presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, who recently pledged to restore fuel subsidies to ease the cost of living.

“It takes more than a few days to put together such an elaborate and multi-faceted social protection programme,” TMSG Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo said in a joint statement.

Focus on long-term economic support

According to the group, the $1bn initiative aims to transition vulnerable citizens from emergency cash transfers to sustainable self-reliance through a monitored “poverty graduation pathway.”

The scheme was developed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction following presidential directives aimed at mitigating the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification.

The group noted that the initiative builds on previous social safety programs, including a cash transfer scheme that supported approximately 10 million households, and aligns with broader multilateral efforts, such as a recent $3bn World Bank-backed support plan.

TMSG urged state governments to integrate their local programmes across Nigeria’s 8,809 political wards to maximize the impact of the poverty reduction strategy.