Tinubu Government Uses AI and Satellite Tech to Identify and Support Urban Poor in Nigeria – Minister Nentawe Yilwatda
The federal government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken a bold step towards tackling poverty by turning to advanced technology. According to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, the government is now using Artificial Intelligence (AI), satellite imagery, and telecoms data to identify Nigerians living in urban slums and include them in national poverty relief efforts.
This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant shift in how Nigeria identifies and supports its most vulnerable populations, moving beyond the traditional focus on rural areas. Dr. Yilwatda made these revelations during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme, where he outlined how the new technology-driven strategy is transforming the fight against poverty in Nigeria.
How AI and Satellite Technology Are Revolutionizing Poverty Identification in Nigeria
One of the most impressive changes in recent months has been the expansion of the National Social Register (NSR) — a comprehensive list of poor and vulnerable Nigerians who qualify for government support. Previously, this register mainly captured individuals in rural communities. But now, thanks to AI and satellite tools, the register has been expanded to include nearly 20 million Nigerians, many of whom live in urban slums.
“We used satellite imagery to locate urban slums, then base stations and telecoms data to identify phone numbers in those locations,” said Dr. Yilwatda.
He further explained that by leveraging telecom data — specifically, phone numbers registered in high-density, low-income neighborhoods — the government could map out the urban poor more accurately. These phone numbers were then verified using AI algorithms, which analyzed each user’s access to financial services and other key poverty indicators.
“AI helped us generate a list of urban poor individuals by verifying those numbers, their access to financial services, and other indicators,” he added.
This method not only improves accuracy but also reduces fraud and manipulation. It’s part of President Tinubu’s vision to modernize governance and ensure that anti-poverty programs reach those who need them the most, whether they live in rural villages or overcrowded city slums.
From 13 Million to 19.7 Million: A Major Leap for the National Social Register
Before this tech-driven upgrade, the National Social Register had about 13 million individuals listed — mostly from Nigeria’s rural regions. Under President Tinubu’s directive, that number has now risen to 19.7 million, including a significant number of urban poor who had previously been overlooked.
The reason for this expansion is simple: while rural poverty remains widespread, urban poverty is rising fast due to unemployment, inflation, and poor living conditions in city slums like those in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Onitsha.
This expanded register now serves as the foundation for more inclusive government interventions aimed at tackling poverty across both rural and urban Nigeria.
15 Million Nigerian Households Targeted for Poverty Alleviation
According to Minister Yilwatda, the Tinubu administration is now targeting 15 million households, which translates to approximately 75 million people, with various poverty alleviation programs. Considering that Nigeria has around 43 million households, this effort covers over one-third of the country’s population.
“We are reaching out to about 15 million households through our various intervention programmes,” Yilwatda said.
These interventions include conditional cash transfers, scholarship programs, food support, and business loans. The focus is not only to provide temporary relief but also to create long-term solutions that lift people out of poverty permanently.
Conditional Cash Transfer: N75,000 for 15 Million Households
One of the key tools in this anti-poverty strategy is the conditional cash transfer program. Under this initiative, 15 million households are being given ₦75,000 each, distributed in three installments of ₦25,000.
Yilwatda admitted that while this amount might seem small in cities, it goes a long way in rural communities where the cost of living is lower.
“It may seem small in urban settings, but it has tangible impact in rural areas,” he explained.
The program is carefully monitored to ensure that funds are used effectively. Beneficiaries are encouraged to invest the money in small businesses, food, healthcare, or education.
Measurable Impact of the Cash Transfer Program
The ministry didn’t just distribute money blindly. It worked with the World Bank and civil society organizations to assess the impact of the conditional cash transfer program. The results are promising:
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18% of recipients used the money to start small businesses
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82% improved their food security
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52% used the funds to pay school fees for their children
“It is a meaningful supplement that helps cushion the impact of poverty,” the minister stated.
This kind of evidence-based approach allows the government to refine its strategy and expand successful initiatives, ensuring that public funds are used for maximum social impact.
Tackling Hunger and Food Poverty in Nigeria
Another major focus area is the rising rate of hunger in Nigeria. According to Yilwatda, an alarming 42% of Nigerians are suffering from food poverty, meaning they don’t have regular access to enough nutritious food. That’s about 80 million people — or 20 million households — living in chronic hunger.
To tackle this, the government is using both short-term and long-term strategies:
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Short-Term: Cash transfers and food distribution.
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Long-Term: Supporting farmers with loans, equipment, and training to boost local food production.
N1.5 Trillion in Loans for Farmers to Boost Food Production
As part of the structural reforms, the government is offering ₦1.5 trillion in loans through the Aggregate Bank to help farmers increase their yield and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported food.
This is a strategic move that aligns with the Tinubu administration’s broader economic policy of food security, self-sufficiency, and job creation in agriculture.
Education Support Through Scholarships
Another important part of the poverty reduction agenda is education. Many Nigerian families, especially in poor communities, cannot afford to send their children to school. To address this, the government is launching scholarship schemes that will keep students in school despite the economic hardship.
Education is seen as a long-term investment that can break the cycle of poverty. By making sure children stay in school, the government is preparing the next generation for better opportunities.
A Shift from Humanitarian Relief to Sustainable Poverty Reduction
Perhaps the most important point made by Dr. Yilwatda is the government’s strategic shift in mindset. For years, Nigeria’s poverty response was dominated by emergency aid, including food relief, temporary shelters, and one-time cash payments. But now, the focus is moving towards sustainable poverty reduction.
“Poverty alleviation reduces the pain; poverty reduction moves people out of poverty entirely,” Yilwatda emphasized. “Until now, the focus was mainly on humanitarian interventions, relief materials, food distribution, and cash transfers. But that’s not enough. We’re shifting towards actually reducing poverty.”
This new direction prioritizes programs that create jobs, empower communities, and build resilience against future shocks like inflation, climate change, or pandemics.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Nigeria’s Fight Against Poverty
The Tinubu administration’s use of AI, satellite technology, and telecom data to expand the National Social Register marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s fight against poverty. By identifying and reaching more Nigerians — especially in urban slums — the government is building a more inclusive and data-driven approach to social welfare.
With conditional cash transfers, education scholarships, farmer loans, and a clear shift from emergency aid to long-term development, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction is laying the foundation for a future where fewer Nigerians live in poverty.
This ambitious plan reflects a broader vision: to digitize governance, empower vulnerable communities, and ensure that no Nigerian is left behind.
