Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has emphasized that his administration’s approach to poverty alleviation focuses on creating opportunities rather than providing handouts.

Speaking to selected journalists on Tuesday, Makinde explained that the government aims to establish a conducive environment where citizens can thrive and lift themselves out of poverty.

“For us in Oyo State, we believe in creating opportunities for people to succeed rather than giving handouts,” he said. Makinde cited previous initiatives, noting that well-intentioned projects, like housing schemes under Nigeria LNG, sometimes failed because they lacked sustainable support, turning into shanty towns within a few years.

He further discussed the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAFER) program, highlighting the transportation sector. Under the program, nearly 20,000 people use subsidized transport daily, with vulnerable groups such as students, the elderly, and physically challenged individuals paying half the fare. Makinde stressed that the subsidy, amounting to 100 million naira monthly, supports productive activity rather than providing idle handouts.

“When people pay the discounted fare, they are using transportation to reach opportunities that will yield productive outcomes,” he explained, contrasting the approach with conditional cash transfers favored by organizations like the World Bank.