Most Nigerians not aware of any government support programme

Abuja, Nigeria – January 27, 2025: A recent survey by NOIPolls has shed light on a concerning gap in the awareness and effectiveness of government initiatives designed to support citizens amid the ongoing economic challenges in Nigeria. The nationwide survey revealed that 82 percent of adult Nigerians are unaware of any government program or initiative to assist citizens in the past year. This finding highlights a critical issue in the communication or implementation of government support systems, especially as the country grapples with significant economic difficulties.

93 in 100 Nigerians say the economy impacted them negatively in the past year

According to the study, the economic downturn has severely impacted 93 percent of Nigerians, with 52 percent attributing the hardship to the soaring cost of living. To cope, many have resorted to cutting back on personal expenses (27 percent), expanding their businesses or working harder (26 percent), engaging in agriculture (13 percent), or starting side hustles (12 percent). These figures point to the resilience of Nigerians as they adapt to the harsh economic environment.

The survey also identified the measures Nigerians believe could alleviate their economic struggles. The most widely supported interventions included reducing petrol pump prices (28 percent), creating more jobs (12 percent), reinstating the fuel subsidy (11 percent), and implementing good governance and sound policies (9 percent). These findings underscore the desire for comprehensive and practical measures to reduce economic burdens.

While most Nigerians face economic challenges, a small group (4 percent) reported experiencing positive impacts. Among these respondents, 30 percent cited improved or booming businesses as a key factor. This resilience reflects Nigerians' entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability. For instance, Peter Chijioke, a civil servant mentioned in the Blueprint Online publication (October 18, 2024), emphasized the importance of diversifying business models, reducing operational costs, and seeking funding opportunities[1]. Similarly, Accountant Clement Adeboye also cited in the same publication, how his family adapted by switching his children from private to public schools and adopting bulk purchasing to manage household expenses.

Despite these adaptive strategies, the survey also highlighted a significant gap in public awareness and participation in government support programs. Only 18 percent of respondents were aware of any government initiatives, with grants (7 percent), federal government loan schemes (5 percent), and national food palliatives (4 percent) being the most frequently mentioned programs. However, 46 percent cited other single support initiatives, while 32 percent were unable to identify specific programs, suggesting potential issues in program branding, outreach, or communication.

Further findings revealed that only 19 percent of Nigerians reported benefiting from government interventions. The highest beneficiaries were from the North-Central and North-East regions (28 percent and 29 percent, respectively), while those from the South-West (91 percent) and South-South (88 percent) regions reported the least benefit. This regional disparity indicates an uneven distribution or accessibility of government programs.

Download the full report here.

Economic Coping Mechanism - Poll Report Release - 17012025.pdf

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[1] https://blueprint.ng/how-nigerians-are-coping-with-economic-hardship/