The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government, humanitarian organisations and development partners to ensure that Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms improve the livelihoods of vulnerable and underserved citizens.

‎Bagudu made the call while speaking at the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Nigeria Impact Showcase in Abuja. He said the country’s development challenges require collective action, adding that organisations such as CRS play a vital role in complementing government efforts by identifying development gaps and reaching communities that may otherwise be excluded.

‎The minister commended CRS for its humanitarian interventions and commitment to inclusion, noting that the organisation’s activities transcend religious boundaries and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s development goals. According to him, inclusive development is essential to promoting peace, harmony and national progress.

‎He said the Federal Government’s economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are aimed at repositioning the economy, boosting productivity and laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth. However, Bagudu acknowledged that such reforms often affect different segments of society unevenly, making targeted support for vulnerable groups necessary.

Bagudu explained that the government had introduced interventions to cushion the impact of the reforms on low-income households, farmers, traders and small businesses. He also noted that Nigeria’s economic challenges have been worsened by global factors, including international conflicts, trade tensions, rising energy costs and increasing prices of agricultural inputs such as fertiliser.

The minister admitted that more needs to be done to ensure government support reaches those who need it most. He stressed the importance of learning from humanitarian organisations with strong grassroots presence, saying government must be willing to strengthen partnerships and adopt lessons from experienced development partners where necessary.

He further said Nigeria’s federal structure provides opportunities for closer collaboration among the Federal, State and Local Governments as well as humanitarian organisations. Bagudu assured CRS and other development partners of the Federal Government’s commitment to partnerships that promote inclusive development and improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.