Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged the government, private institutions and other stakeholders to strengthen efforts aimed at improving the living conditions of economically disadvantaged families.

She said tackling poverty requires more than temporary assistance, stressing the importance of creating sustainable opportunities that enable citizens to earn a living, access essential services and build better futures.

Mrs Tinubu made the appeal in a statement marking the 2026 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed on Saturday, October 17. This year’s theme is “Dignity, Opportunity, and Shared Prosperity.”

The First Lady emphasised that education, affordable healthcare, vocational training and access to decent employment should remain central to poverty-reduction strategies.

According to her, vulnerable households often face significant obstacles that prevent them from improving their economic circumstances, making sustained intervention necessary to help them achieve financial stability.

She also called for stronger cooperation among government agencies, organisations and individuals, noting that addressing poverty requires a collective commitment to building a society where everyone has a fair chance to succeed.

Mrs Tinubu maintained that interventions should focus on empowering people to improve their livelihoods and participate actively in economic development, rather than leaving struggling families without clear pathways to self-reliance.

She further stressed the importance of compassion and inclusive policies in ensuring that economic opportunities reach those who need them most.

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is commemorated globally every October 17 to draw attention to the hardships experienced by people living in poverty and encourage coordinated efforts to eliminate deprivation in all its forms.