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Tag: Oxfam

  • Oxfam, partners, unlock N15.5bn climate finance

    Oxfam, partners, unlock N15.5bn climate finance

    The Country Director, Oxfam in Nigeria, John Makina has said the organisation was able to unlock ₦15.5 billion in local climate financing and expanded climate-smart livelihoods, such as beekeeping, briquette production and tree planting.

    Makina disclosed this during the close-out of Oxfam in Nigeria’s five-year Power of Voices, Fair for All (F4A) and African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) programmes in Nigeria.

    The event featured the launch of a documentary and magazine capturing the project’s milestones.

    He described the programmes as “a journey of courage, partnership and transformation.”

    Makina said that the initiatives demonstrated the power of communities, when equipped, to “speak, act and lead” in governance, climate justice and economic accountability.

    He said that the journey had been more than a development intervention.

    “It has been a collective effort to shift power, amplify voices and place citizens where they rightfully belong—at the centre of governance, climate justice and economic accountability in Nigeria,” he said.

    Makina highlighted key achievements of the programmes to include: cultivation of 15,500 seedlings through community nurseries and distribution of 3,500 clean cooking stoves in Bauchi State to reduce emissions and improve health.

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    He stated that 256 community volunteers, including persons with disabilities (PWDs) were also trained in briquette production and other nature-based solutions.

    Makina said: “Oxfam also supported the development of new climate laws, unlocked ₦15.5 billion in local climate financing and expanded climate-smart livelihoods, such as beekeeping, briquette production and tree planting.

    “Women beneficiaries reportedly earned between ₦150,000 and ₦300,000 through climate-friendly enterprises.

    “The programmes reached more than 10 million Nigerians through the “Follow the Money” media platforms, while civic participation was strengthened through Freedom of Information coalitions, youth civic clubs and improved security commitments from the police.”

    According to Makina, the initiative also trained 500 journalists in climate reporting, mobilised 664 citizens through the Africa Climate Caravan and empowered PWDs to participate independently in agriculture and community governance.

    He expressed appreciation to some implementing partners, such as Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); Connected Development (CODE); BudgIT Foundation, among others, saying that their support and dedication contributed to the success of the initiatives.

    The country director also commended the Government of The Netherlands for funding the project.

    Speaking on behalf of the partners, Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, said the programmes delivered “transformative reforms, bold advocacy and unprecedented community-led impact” across Nigeria.

    He noted that the projects strengthened tax justice campaigns, boosted transparency in the extractive sector, improved compliance with beneficial ownership rules and expanded state-level advocacy platforms.

    The CISLAC boss said that sustained civil advocacy also helped in shaping the passage of four new tax laws and contributing to the government’s approval of over 1 billion dollars for the upgrade of major ports.

    Rafsanjani stressed that although donor funding had ended, the responsibility to sustain the gains now rests with Nigerians.

    “The work must continue because inequalities, corruption and climate challenges remain,” he said.

    While giving an overview of the projects, the Programme Manager of Oxfam in Nigeria, Henry Ushie, said it built regulatory frameworks that mobilised communities to be proactive in demanding for the three per cent meant for them by companies.

    “They were also empowered to access the money and demand for accountability and transparency on how the money was deployed, ensuring that it was ploughed back into the communities,” Ushie said.

  • Oxfam seeks more empowerment for youths

    Oxfam seeks more empowerment for youths

    • *83m Nigerians live on less than N3,100 a day
    • *Says inequality holding country back from dev

    An international non-governmental organisation, Oxfam in Nigeria has advocated for the empowerment of youths in the country and equitable distribution of opportunities and resources.

    The organisation expressed concern over the absence of individuals under the age of 35 in the current federal cabinet, saying it reflected the broader systemic inequality that hinders national development.

    Country Director of Oxfam in Nigeria, John Makina stated this at a youth policy dialogue themed “Next 90%: Youth, Policy and A Fairer Nigeria” in Abuja.

    He called for urgent action to harness the untapped potential of young Nigerians, warning that Nigeria’s progress was under threat as a result of persistent inequality and exclusion.

    He said that ten per cent of the population controlled 90 per cent of Nigeria’s resources leaving 83 million Nigerians to live on less than N3,100 ($2) a day.

    The Oxfam in Nigeria boss said that the inequality crisis was holding Nigeria back in terms of national development.

    Makina said: “The reality is that the top 10% controls an overwhelming 90% of our country’s resources, and over 83 million Nigerians are left to live on less than N3,100 ($2) a day.

    “This is not only about money. It is about life in general. It means not having enough money for good schools, healthcare and other basic amenities. It means that more than two-thirds of teenage girls in northern Nigeria cannot read or write. It means that women who work hard in our farmlands own only 13% of the land. This is the reality that holds our country back.

    “This is also why we see a striking 0% representation of young people under 35 in the current Federal Cabinet of Nigeria. This isn’t just about fairness. Including young people in government is a strategic choice for our nation’s future, our economy, and our peace. By giving young people a seat at the table, we can tap into their immense potential and build a stronger and more innovative country for everyone.

    “Inequality in Nigeria is not a natural phenomenon, but a consequence of deliberate actions and inactions by policymakers and vested interests. The severity of this issue is compounded by deep-rooted cultural norms, power dynamics, and social incentives that perpetuate poverty and inequality.”

    Makina called for bold reforms to reverse the trend, including progressive taxation, stronger public services, and regulation of corporate monopolies.

    He added: “To address the challenges faced by Nigerian youths, we need progressive labour policies that promote decent work and fair pay, including increasing the minimum wage at the national level to match the rising cost of living.

    Read Also: Oxfam: 99% of super-rich avoid paying tax

    “This is crucial as 65% of Nigeria’s workforce operates in the informal economy, and formalising these businesses can provide them with better access to credit, training, and social protection.

    “Additionally, reducing vulnerable employment, which affects 55% of Nigerian youths, is vital. This can be achieved by encouraging small and medium-sized businesses to thrive through simplified registration processes, tax incentives, training, and credit support. We must break up monopolies that stifle competition, job creation, and innovation to promote economic growth and reduce poverty, ultimately creating well-paying jobs for Nigerian youths.”

    Makina urged policymakers and stakeholders to adopt more creative and inclusive approaches to governance and resource management, especially in relation to women and young people.

    Also speaking at the event, Chief Executive – Nigeria, Malala Fund, Nabila Aguele warned of the worsening inequality crisis and its disproportionate impact on young people and women.

    Aguele, who was the keynote speaker at the event, said: “Our country continues to face deeply rooted inequality among the most pronounced globally, a challenge we must confront with urgency and resolve. As we’ve heard already, Oxfam’s recent report on income and wealth inequality tells us that the top 10% of Nigerians control over 31% of our national income, with the bottom 50% left with just 22%.

    “Over 95 million of our fellow citizens survive on less than $2 a day. 133 million people, 63% of our population are multidimensionally poor, lacking access to essential services like clean water, electricity, education, and healthcare. And young people are not spared.

    “In fact, they are disproportionately affected. Youth unemployment, as we’ve heard, is over 42%, and over 11 million girls, 60% of them from the northern region, remain out of school. These figures are more than statistics.

    “They are signals of a growing strain, of a ticking time clock. We cannot thrive as a society with large segments of our population left behind, and we cannot paint a picture of a future Nigeria for all of us without youth sitting at the table, not just as stakeholders, but as co-creators, leading and driving change. Gender inequality is also a central driver of this broader inequality.”

    Aguele called for a shift in focus from symbolic gestures to measurable outcomes in public policy and development programmes.

    She added: “No more should we focus on how many programmes have been launched. Instead, we should focus on how many lives have been measurably improved. Instead of focusing on how many schools or roads have been built, we need to focus on how many children have completed their education with dignity and safety as a consequence of those actions.

    “Secondly, we need to push for policymakers to ensure that these solutions center the voices and concerns of our communities, particularly youth and women.

    “Equity is not achieved when the people most impacted are left out of the design table. It is achieved when their experience shapes every stage of policy development and implementation, and also shapes private sector solutions as well. And third, it’s so important to increase social spending and public investment in human capital sectors like education and health, and strengthen tax policies, as has already been said, to make them more progressive and equitable.”

  • Inadequate climate financing could derail Nigeria’s target, says report 

    Inadequate climate financing could derail Nigeria’s target, says report 

    A new report jointly published by Oxfam, Connected Development, and INKA Consult, has revealed that inadequate climate financing could derail Nigeria’s climate targets, putting millions of lives in jeopardy.

    It also noted that Nigeria receives just four percent ($704 million) of the $17.7 billion required annually to combat climate change impacts. 

    The report, unveiled on Monday, underscored the significant gap in climate financing necessary to address disasters like droughts, erosion, and rising temperatures.

    According to the report, between 2015 and 2021, the country secured $4.9 billion in climate funding, 75 percent of which came as loans, exacerbating its already heavy debt burden. 

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    The report highlighted that 36 percent of Nigeria’s total debt is at risk of distress, with 37 percent of the national budget allocated to debt servicing, leaving minimal resources for essential investments in climate resilience, healthcare, and education.

    Oxfam Nigeria’s Country Director, John Makina, called for urgent action from national and international stakeholders to prioritise climate justice and debt relief.

    “Nigeria’s status as one of the top 10 most climate-vulnerable nations demands immediate and sustainable solutions,” Makina said.

    The report also revealed that local governments and climate-vulnerable communities bear the brunt of insufficient financing, with many Nigerians living in high-risk areas. 

    Lead Researcher at Connected Development,  Augustine Okere, emphasised the need for empowering local communities to manage their climate resilience.

    “Without greater transparency and targeted funding, communities on the front lines of climate change will face escalating poverty and displacement,” Okere stated.

    Key issues identified in the report include poor tracking and mapping of climate budgets at the local level and the lack of technical and financial capacity for sub-national governments to implement effective climate projects.

    To address these challenges, the report proposed shifting from loans to grants to prevent further debt accumulation.

    “Establishing a Climate Finance Hub for centralized tracking and management of funds, boosting domestic funding mapping to integrate climate initiatives into the national budget and empowering local governments to access and manage climate funds independently.

    CEO of Connected Development, Hamzat Lawal, stressed the importance of involving local voices in climate finance decisions.

     “This is not just about financial investment; it’s about trust, transparency, and equity,” he said.

    James Enatace, a representative of the Nigeria Labour Congress, criticised policies that disproportionately benefit the wealthy while deepening inequality.

     “We must question a system that enriches the rich and impoverishes the poor under the guise of climate finance,” he stated.

  • Dangote’s, other billionaire’s wealth grew by $2tr in 2024, says Oxfam report

    Dangote’s, other billionaire’s wealth grew by $2tr in 2024, says Oxfam report

    The wealth of the world’s billionaires including Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, Tesla and SpaceX chief executive, Elon Musk and others grew by $2trillion (£1.64trillion) in 2024, three times faster than in 2023, amounting to $5.7billion a day, according to a report by Oxfam.

    Dangote, with a net worth of $11billionn, is Africa’s richest person, holding a “near-monopoly” on cement in Nigeria and dominating the market across Africa, the report said.

    The latest inequality report from the charity reveals that the world is now on track to have five trillionaires within a decade, a change from last year’s forecast of one trillionaire within 10 years.

    The report, entitled: Takers Not Makers, comes as many of the world’s political leaders, corporate executives and super-rich travel to the Swiss ski resort of Davos for the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting on Monday.

    Oxfam’s examination of billionaire assets also coincides with Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president. Trump is expected to include several billionaires in his team of close advisers, including Musk, and to offer large-scale tax breaks to the wealthiest US citizens.

    At the same time, the number of people living under the World Bank poverty line of $6.85 a day has barely changed since 1990, and is close to 3.6 billion – equivalent to 44per cent of the world’s population today, the charity said. One in 10 women lives in extreme poverty (below $2.15 a day), which means 24.3 million more women than men endure extreme poverty.

    Oxfam warned that progress on reducing poverty had ground to a halt and that extreme poverty could be ended three times faster if inequality were to be reduced.

    The UK has the highest proportion of billionaire wealth derived from “monopolies and cronyism” among G7 countries. In the UK, wealth climbed by £35million a day to £182billion last year, the report said.

    Four new billionaires emerged last year, taking the UK total to 57. They are Mark Dixon, who runs the flexible office provider IWG; Sunder Genomal, the founder of Page Industries, a Bengaluru-based garment business; Donald Mackenzie, a Scottish tycoon who co-founded private equity firm CVC; and Jim Thompson, the founder of moving company Crown Worldwide.

    Rising share values on global stock exchanges account for most of the increase in billionaire wealth, though higher property values also played a role. Residential property accounts for about 80per cent of worldwide investments.

    Globally, the number of billionaires rose by 204 last year to 2,769. Their combined wealth jumped from $13trillion to $15trillion in just 12 months – the second-largest annual increase since records began.

    The wealth of the world’s 10 richest men grew on average by almost $100million a day and even if they lost 99per cent of their wealth overnight, they would remain billionaires.

    They include the Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, with a net worth of $219.4billion, whose Amazon “empire” accounts for 70per cent or more of online purchases in Germany, France, the UK and Spain.

    The report argues that most of the wealth is taken, not earned, as 60 per cent comes from either inheritance, “cronyism and corruption” or monopoly power. It calculates that 18 per cent of the wealth arises from monopoly power.

    According to the Forbes real-time billionaires list, the richest people in the world are Musk; Bezos; Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook and Meta co-founder; Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle; and the LVMH founder Bernard Arnault. At Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Musk, Bezos and Zuckerberg are expected to sit close together, in a sign of the tech companies’ rapidly growing influence on politics.

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    Oxfam calls for bold solutions to “radically reduce inequality and hardwire fairness into our economies”.

    The Oxfam inequality policy lead, Anna Marriott, said: “Last year we predicted the first trillionaire could emerge within a decade, but this shocking acceleration of wealth means that the world is now on course for at least five. The global economic system is broken, wholly unfit for purpose as it enables and perpetuates this explosion of riches, while nearly half of humanity continues to live in poverty.”

    She called on the UK government to prioritise economic policies that bring down inequality, including higher taxation of the super-rich.

    “Huge sums of money could be raised, to tackle inequality here in the UK and overseas and provide crucial investment for our public services. For the first time, with the groundbreaking G20 agreement to cooperate on taxing the world’s super-rich [last July], there is genuine momentum to implement fairer taxation globally,” she added.

  • Oxfam: 99% of super-rich avoid paying tax

    Oxfam: 99% of super-rich avoid paying tax

    Two reports by a non – governmental organisation, Oxfam in Nigeria has shown that only 40 of the wealthiest Nigerians were found to be compliant taxpayers, according to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and John Bean Technologies Corporation (JBT).

    The organisation said that this represented a compliance rate of 0.035per cent, meaning that over 99per cent of Nigeria’s wealthiest citizens evade or avoid paying taxes.

    The Country Director, Oxfam in Nigeria, John Makina said the two studies exposed a staggering wealth gap in Nigeria while calling for the adoption of progressive wealth taxation and increased social investment to bridge the growing economic and social divide before a social bomb explodes.

    Launching the two reoports titled: Income and Wealth Inequality in Nigeria: Trends and Drivers, and Taxing the Rich Fair Tax Monitor at a news conference in Abuja, Makina said despite being the fourth-largest economy in Africa, the benefits of economic growth have largely been concentrated in the hands of a small elite, leaving millions of Nigerians trapped in poverty.

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    The Country Director of Oxfam in Nigeria said: “The situation in Nigeria is alarming: while millions struggle to afford their next meal, the super-rich continue to amass riches without paying their fair share of taxes. Complexities in tax laws, coupled with a lack of transparency, enable this situation, depriving the country of crucial revenue needed to invest in social protection and initiatives aimed at reducing inequality.

    “This is a scenario we can no longer accept if we are genuinely committed to building a more equitable society.”

    He added: “Nigeria ranks among the countries with the highest levels of income inequality in sub-Saharan Africa, with a small fraction of the population controlling the majority of the nation’s wealth. The country’s wealth Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, stands at 35.1, placing it 11th out of 16 West African countries and highlighting Nigeria’s severe economic divide.

    “The economic situation in Nigeria is critical, with millions struggling to make ends meet as prices rise faster than wages, leaving many hungry and desperate. Over 133 million people—about 7 in 10—are facing hunger, with women and girls disproportionately affected, making up nearly 63% of the hungry population. In rural areas, less than 40per cent of households have access to electricity, severely limiting educational opportunities and access to healthcare. Women and girls bear a heavier burden of poverty, with a 35per cent literacy rate compared to 59.5per cent for men, and they have limited access to education and land ownership.”

    Makina said implementing a progressive wealth tax could generate over $7.5 billion annually.

    “This revenue would be sufficient to double the government’s current health budget or reduce household out-of-pocket health expenditures by 40per cent, significantly easing the financial burden on millions of Nigerians.

    “To make matters worse, the country is on the verge of bankruptcy, with the poorest states, like Sokoto, suffering an 87% poverty rate, in stark contrast to just 4.5per cent in Lagos. The growing debt burden means that most of the national budget is spent on paying off loans instead of funding essential public services,” he added.

    Lead author of the report, Henry Ushie said that Nigeria’s growing inequality was not just an economic issue but a social crisis that threatens long-term stability.

    Ushie, who doubles as the Accountable Governance Programme Manager at Oxfam in Nigeria said: “The findings of this report are clear: Nigeria’s growing inequality is not just an economic issue but a social crisis that threatens long-term stability. With the wealth gap widening every year, immediate action is needed. Increasing social spending, reforming the tax system, and investing in human capital can help reverse these trends.

    “With more than 20 million children out of school, it is not acceptable to continue giving wealthy individuals and companies tax breaks, incentives, and waivers.”

    In its recommendations, Oxfam urged the Federal Government to increase social spending by allocating at least 10 per cent of the budget to health, education, and agriculture.

    It urged the government to implement a progressive taxation targeting high-net-worth individuals.

    “A one per cent tax on net worth over $1 million could raise $7.5 billion annually, which could fund critical social programmes,” the organisation stated.

    It also called for more investment in human capital development – education, job creation, and healthcare, focusing on rural and underserved populations.

    According to Oxfam in Nigeria, providing living wages, reducing corruption, and enhancing educational opportunities, particularly for women and girls, will improve Nigeria’s Human Development Index (HDI) by 2030.

  • Oxfam, AFAN urge Fed govt to support women farmers

    Oxfam, AFAN urge Fed govt to support women farmers

    …says access to land, finance remain challenges for women farmers

    An international non-governmental organisation, Oxfam in Nigeria, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector have called on the federal government to address the challenges that farmers, particularly women, face in accessing land for farming in the country.

    The Country Director of Oxfam in Nigeria, John Makina said access to land and finance remained major challenges for women farmers in the country.

    Makina spoke during the Female Food Hero Awards Policy dialogue with the theme: “Promoting the Role of Women Food Producers and Their Contribution to Food Security in Nigeria 2024” in Abuja yesterday.

    The country director of Oxfam stated that women farmers play a crucial role in feeding the world.

    He said: “In Nigeria, it is reported that about 70% of women are taking the lead in food production. This statistic is not unique to Nigeria but applies to many countries in Africa, where women are at the forefront of agriculture.

    “Women are involved in every step of the farming process. From land preparation, where the majority of people in the fields are women, to planting, weeding, and harvesting, women are the primary workforce. They also handle post-harvest activities such as processing, grading, and taking the produce to the market.

    “However, women face significant challenges, especially in accessing loans. When applying for a loan, women are often asked about their marital status. If married, they are typically required to bring their husbands as guarantors.

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    “This requirement poses a significant barrier and raises questions about whether it truly provides opportunities for women. These challenges need to be addressed, and today’s meeting aims to bring these issues to the forefront of the discussion.”

    The President of the Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Farouk Mudi stated that the primary obstacle remains the difficulty in acquiring land without adequate funds and the complexities associated with obtaining loans due to high interest rates and unaffordable collateral requirements.

    The AFAN president, who was represented at the event by the FCT chairman of AFAN, Ifraimu Dauda, noted that one common requirement from lenders was a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), which often demanded a substantial financial outlay, placing it beyond the reach of many struggling farmers.

    He said: “This financial barrier is a significant hurdle for both men and women farmers. However, women face additional societal challenges that often hinder their independence and growth opportunities.

    “Women farmers have nonetheless made notable contributions to agricultural development, both in Nigeria and globally.

    “Their efforts in this sector are substantial and deserve recognition and support. Despite their critical role, societal norms and gender-specific obstacles continue to impede their progress.

    “The difficulty in accessing land is not limited to financial barriers. Even small plots in villages are increasingly hard to acquire due to competition from wealthier buyers.

    “This competition further marginalises small-scale farmers, making it challenging to secure the land necessary for their livelihood.

    “We are appealing to the government to implement measures that facilitate land access for all farmers. Such support would not only empower women farmers but also significantly promote the agricultural sector in Nigeria, ensuring sustainable development and food security.”

    He maintained that by addressing these issues, the government can help create a more inclusive and productive agricultural environment, ultimately benefiting the entire nation.

    An official of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) said the bank was looking at scaling up credits for women farmers.

    According to the official, the Bank is looking at increasing its Microloan from N250,000 to N500,000.

  • ‘Nigeria annually loses N4.4trn from absence of laws, policies’

    The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) says Nigeria loses over four trillion Naira annually in the extractive industry due to lack of laws and policies.

    CISLAC Director of Legal, Mr Adesina Oke, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting on Sunday in Lagos.

    The stakeholders’ meeting is a collaborative effort of CISLAC, Connected Development (CODE) and Oxfam.

    Oke added that Africa also loses over 50 billion dollars every year due to Illicit Financial Flows (IFF).

    He, however, noted that pending laws before the National Assembly as well as policies yet to be implemented by the executive could have curbed these losses.

    He said that of the 50 billion dollars, Nigeria accounted for 30.5 per cent which represents 15.2 billion dollars.

    Oke explained that out of the 15.2 billion dollars losses, the oil-dominated extractive industry alone represented 95.2 per cent of the figure, amounting to 14.5 billion dollars (N4.44 trillion).

    Oke regretted that bills that could have curbed and eventually stopped these loses had been pending before the National Assembly.

    He listed some of the bills and policies to include: the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Proceeds of Crime Bill, Whistle Blower Protection Bill and the policy to know the beneficial owners of registered companies.

    In an interview with News Agency of Nigeria, Oke said that the losses coupled with corruption and mismanagement was the reason the nation has yet to reap measurable benefit from the sector.

    “The truth is that there are so many problems confronting the extractive industry in Nigeria which has given birth to Illicit Financial flows.

    “From the discussions there are so many gaps, even in terms of our laws; there are so many laws that could have assisted Nigeria in combating IFFs in the extractive sector.

    “Laws like the PIB are yet to be passed, the Proceed of Crime Bill is yet to be passed, and we also have the Anti-money laundering and other anti-corruption bills.

    “There is need to implement the beneficial ownership for companies, whistle blowers policy and all sort of laws that could have been able to mainstream into an effective combat against illicit financial flows.

    “There is nothing anybody can do except the national assembly is able to discuss and pass those laws and for the executive to assent to it,” he said.

    Oke pointed out that those pushing for the bill to be passed might have to start afresh if the 8th National Assembly failed to pass the bills before it winds up in June.

    He added that the Civil Society Groups and other stakeholders were already preparing to take on the 9th Assembly if the 8th Assembly adjourned without passing the bills.

    “We had this dialogue to prepare us for the 9th Assembly so that we can immediately take off in ensuring that those bills are pushed and passed.

    “The PIB has come a long way and we have been struggling to ensure these bills are passed, but it has been going front and back.

    “It is not even as though what is contained in the bill is all that is desired, but it is better to have a law in place that you can amend than not to have any law at all.

    “As it is now, those things that are primary are the ones that are being pushed so that we can have a PIB law in place then the amendments can come later.

    “If these laws are in place, when something is not being done the way it ought to be done you can question; but when there are no laws, there is nothing you can do,” he said.

    Oke also called for the use of technology to monitor and track the extraction and sale of oil, urging the Federal Government to emulate Saudi Arabia that invest in technology to track its oil. (NAN)

  • 3.5% budgetary allocation for agric not enough – OXFAM

    The Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) allocation for agriculture between 2014 – 2015 was 0.08% of the total funds of $2.2b disbursed to Nigeria by bilateral and multilateral donours.

    Health and education sectors received the largest shares of 68.43% and 18.56% respectively during the period.

    This was made known by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP-Nigeria) in collaboration with Oxfam during a policy dialogue session on national budget in relation to climate change adaptation frameworks and policies in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The research titled National Budget In Relation To Climate Change Adaptation Frameworks and Policies in Nigeria by OXFAM and WANEP revealed that “the mean share of agriculture in the national budget between 2010-2015 periods was 1.5 %.”

    Although the percentage allocation for agriculture in the 2018 budget increased from 2.2% to 3.5%, this is still far below the benchmark of 10% national budget allocation stipulated at the African Union Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security in 2003 in Maputo, Mozambique.

    The research also observed that “there was a chequered pathway for ODA flows for Ministries of Budget and Planning, Agriculture, Environment, other MDAs and CSOs. This is due to largely uncoordinated processes and at best modest outcomes.”

    It further revealed that small scale farmers’ profile reflected their vulnerabilities to climate change, especially for females. It found that male farmers were generally older than females, had more years of farming experience, cultivated larger areas for farming (1.7h-m, 1.1h-f), earned higher incomes, had less access to land and credit, and had access to inputs and other facilities like water, inputs, Improved technology and extension services.

    The OXFAM study also itemized 10 unsettling facts that are undermining the efforts at achieving food security and justice under climate change.

    It said: “Small-scale farmers are not the focus of investments in climate change adaptation in Agriculture in Nigeria. Nigeria had the lowest share of spending on agriculture and rural development (4.9 per cent) as part of international aid between 2007 and 2015 behind countries like Pakistan, Tanzania , Philippines, Ethiopia  and Ghana; Nigeria’s population size is about equal to the combined populations of the six countries receiving the largest share of multilateral climate adaptation funding; Nigeria’s agriculture sector received 0.08% of aid in financial Year 2014-2015, significantly behind aid invested in health (68%) and education (19%); Nigeria’s budget spending on agriculture has remained significantly below Maputo target of 10 per cent.

    “Female small scale farmers have relatively poor access to resources; Female small scale farmers are worst affected by ineffectiveness of Government investment in agriculture; About 90 percent of farm holdings in Nigeria is less than two hectares in size; The rate at which climate change is happening is outpacing the effort of the small scale farmer to adapt; Over emphasis on the uptake of climate smart agriculture and agribusiness over agro-ecology to boost food production.”

    It noted that the “killer facts” if not adequately addressed could deal a fatal blow on efforts to attain food security in the short to long term in Nigeria.

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    The National Network Coordinator (WANEP), Mrs. Bridget Osakwe, said the event was timely as it addressed issues that undermine food security in the country.

    According to the Influencing/Public Engagement Officer of OXFAM, Mr Abdulazeez Musa, “with adequate support, small-scale farmers throughout Nigeria could overturn rampant malnutrition and move the country towards food security. But as the Nigerian proverb goes, ‘fine words do not produce food’.

    “The government is pursuing a vision of economic transformation and commercialization with agriculture at the center, yet small-scale farmers are not the focus of investments.

    “Funding levels for agriculture and climate change adaptation are significantly lower than promises, and money is skewed towards larger scale projects and research.

    “The support that small-scale farmers need is straightforward – ranging from fertilizer to market access to climate change adaptation and strategies – and the Nigerian government must escalate investments to deliver these vital resources.”

    The Chairman of the Civil Societies and Development Partners, Hon. Peter O. Akpatason, noted that there is an inherent issue in the budget concerning allocation to agriculture that urgently needs to be cured.

    According to him, “the legislators and executive cannot solve it alone.

    “For the budget to work, we need a friendly engagement between legislators, executives and the civil society.

    “Moving up from 2.2 per cent to 3.5 per cent in budgetary allocation to agriculture is a quantum leap, but it can be better. We need more serious engagements.”

    According to the President of the National Association of Nigerian Traders, Barr. Ken Ukhuoha, “we need to question the budgetary allocation for the 36 states of the federation (including the FCT), private sectors investments and Overseas Development Assistance (ODA).

    “For example, the investment by OLAM exceeds that of some states in agricultural investments.”

    The availability of agric extension services to small scale farmers, access to funding, corruption and delay in the release of funds by Anchor Borrowers Program of the CBN, falsification of data in the implementation of grants in agricultural projects, inconsistency in policy implementation, Illiteracy (especially among female farmers) etc., were among the other issues raised by the participants at the event.

     

  • EU trains 130 farmers in agro-forestry initiatives in Daura

    The European ( Union EU ) on Wednesday in Daura, Katsina State, started a three-day training of 130 farmers in agro-forestry initiatives.

    Dr Chris Udokang, the EU Project Manager, who declared the training open, said that it was aimed at educating the participants on how to generate appreciable revenue from tree products and non-timber forest products.

    He said that the project was executed by the Fuel Wood Balance programme ( FUWOBA ), in collaboration with Oxfam, International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development ( ICEED ) and the National Planning Commission.

    Udokang said that the project had encouraged and supervised the planting of 21 species of assorted trees across the seven participating local government areas of Katsina State.

    He said that under the project, about 6.54 million trees were planted across the local government areas in the last three years, adding that the tree-planting scheme would be expanded cover more rural communities.

    Malam Buhari Fago, the Director of Agriculture in Daura Local Government Council, said that training was timely and vital to the socio-economic life of the people, particularly those in the rural areas.

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    He said that the project had spurred many women to get involved in home gardening, adding that the women cultivated cashew, moringa, mango and other economic trees.

    Also speaking, Malam Sani Mashi, an official of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria ( MACBAN ), said that the project had also trained 700 cattle breeders in certain forestry initiatives.

    “It also helped us to engage in proper open range demarcation, which has since averted unnecessary clashes between our members and farmers,’’ he said.

    The newsmen reports that the local government areas which are participating in the project are Daura, Maiadua, Baure, Zango, Mashi, Sandamu and Dutsi local council areas

  • Oxfam call for more women participation in governance

    OXFAM International agency in collaboration with Kebbi state Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development has advocated for more women participation in governance

    The Kebbi state OXFAM Coordinator Mr. Olumide Ojo made the call during the International Women’s Day Celebration in Birnin kebbi, with the Theme: Time is now: Rural and rban activities transforming women’s lives.

    Women in elective position is as low as 7%, the lowest in Sub – Sahara Africa and has declined further after the 2015 elections.

    Ojo appealed to all stakeholders to rise up and challenge the socio – cultural norms that have constituted themselves into systemic hindrances for gender justice in the country.

    He noted that the incessant abduction of school girls, especially in the northern part of the country ” is a treat to girls child education

    In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Hajia Hassana Muhammad Warrah called on women generally to always press for progress by allowing their girl child to go to school and stop withdrawing them half way for marriage.
    Referring to the popular saying ” when you educate a boy child you have educate an individual, but when you educate a girl -child you have educated a nation, she called on women to come out and participate in politics.

    According to her, women will be represented more in governance with improve participation.

    Warrah urged governments at all level to carry women along in policy making.

    Highlights of the International women’s day celebration was a panel discussions: with women parliamentarians, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Medical Women Association of Nigeria(MWAN), Nigeria Union of Teachers, (NUT) and various women group across the state.