The Civil Society Organisations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI), has lauded President Bola Tinubu for declaring a national emergency on poverty and insecurity.
The commendation came on the heels of the President’s determination to treat poverty and insecurity as urgent national priorities, less than twenty-four hours after the CSCHEI highlighted key economic and humanitarian concerns bordering on rising poverty levels in a report submitted to the Presidency.
The Director-General of the organisation, Kunle Yusuff, speaking on behalf of accredited civil society organisations, stressed that the President’s declaration reflected responsiveness to evidence-based advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
According to him, the move signalled a decisive shift towards coordinated and sustained action to tackle structural challenges affecting livelihoods and national development.
Yusuff said, “The declaration of a national emergency on poverty and insecurity is a welcome development and a clear indication that the Federal Government is listening to credible data and the voices of civil society.”
He added, “Our recent engagement with the Presidency highlighted the urgency of expanding social protection, addressing cost-of-living pressures, and improving humanitarian access. We are encouraged that these concerns are being prioritised at the highest level.”
The CSCHEI Director-General further noted that, “Development cannot thrive where poverty persists and insecurity limits access to opportunities. Treating these issues as a national emergency is both timely and necessary.”
He stated that the organisation and its network of partners remained committed to supporting the government through research, monitoring, and strategic collaboration.
“We stand with the government to ensure that policies translate into measurable impact at the grassroots. Our priority remains Nigeria First,” he said.
President Tinubu had, during the May Day celebration at Eagle Square, declared poverty and insecurity as major threats to jobs, productivity and national stability, while outlining ongoing interventions under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at lifting millions out of poverty and creating employment opportunities.
