Africa requires welfarist policies and people-centred development to address poverty, as emphasized by Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank Group. Adesina urged Nigerian and African leaders to prioritize eradicating poverty through policies that enhance opportunities, reduce inequalities, and improve quality of life for all individuals.
At a recent event in Lagos, Adesina was honoured with the Awolowo prize for leadership and delivered a lecture on ‘Making a New Nigeria: Welfarist Policies and People-Centered Development,’ which was attended by various African presidents, state governors, and dignitaries.
During his lecture, Adesina highlighted five key areas for Nigerian and African leaders to concentrate on for economic and social transformation: transforming rural economies and ensuring food security, providing healthcare for all, offering education to all, guaranteeing affordable housing, and promoting government accountability and fiscal decentralization.
He stressed the importance of investing in agriculture to uplift rural communities and boost food security, citing the African Development Bank Group’s significant investments in agriculture across the continent. Adesina also emphasized the necessity of universal healthcare coverage, pointing out the economic impact of diseases and the importance of preparedness in the face of health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, he called for increased access to education for all, addressing the high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. Adesina underlined the importance of providing basic and affordable housing to all Nigerians, emphasizing the need for decent living conditions over the mere upgrading of slums.
Lastly, he advocated for government accountability through citizen’s forums to ensure transparency and effective governance.
