CurrentReport Blog Ministerial nominee Nentawe Yilwatda, selected for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, highlighted the need for increased resource allocation to Nigeria’s northern region, where about 65 percent of the country’s impoverished population resides. Speaking at the Senate during his confirmation screening on Wednesday, Yilwatda emphasized the importance of a needs-based distribution model to effectively tackle poverty.
“Sixty-five percent of poor people live in the North, while 35 percent live in the South,” Yilwatda stated, advocating for a revenue-sharing approach that considers the wealth disparities between states. He stressed that local government areas and states should receive allocations based on individual needs, which could enhance targeted poverty alleviation efforts.
President Bola Tinubu nominated Yilwatda last week to replace Betta Edu, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. After his remarks, Yilwatda was asked to take a ‘bow and leave.’ The Senate is expected to announce its decision on his confirmation later today.
