By Abubakar Yunusa
Oxfam Nigeria Country Director, John Makina, has warned that inequality in Nigeria has reached alarming levels, with the top 10% of the population controlling over 90% of the nation’s wealth.
Makina made the statement during a national policy dialogue in Abuja, themed “The Next 90%: Youth, Policy & A Fairer Nigeria.”
He described Nigeria’s resource distribution as a dinner party where ten people eat 90% of the food, while the remaining ninety share the crumbs.
“This is not just inequality—it is injustice,” Makina declared. “Over 83 million Nigerians live on less than ₦3,100 a day, yet a small elite class holds the majority of national resources.”
He stressed that this imbalance is not accidental but the result of deliberate policy choices, institutional barriers, and systemic exclusion.
Makina pointed out that young people make up the bulk of Nigeria’s population, yet none under the age of 35 currently serve in the federal cabinet.
He called for inclusive governance reforms that reflect the realities and aspirations of Nigeria’s youth and women.
The dialogue also revealed startling figures: youth unemployment above 42%, only 4.2% female representation in the National Assembly, and over 11 million girls out of school—60% from northern Nigeria.
Women, despite being the backbone of the agricultural workforce, own just 13% of Nigeria’s farmland.
The Chief Executive of the Malala Fund Nigeria, Nabila Aguele, described the situation as “a ticking time clock.”
She urged stakeholders to prioritise investment in human capital, particularly in education, health, and gender equality.
“Our position—123 out of 146 on the Global Gender Gap Index—is a red flag,” Aguele noted. “Young Nigerians must not only be included in policy—they must help create it.”
Aguele also emphasised the role of youth-led, community-based organisations in shaping sustainable solutions.
“They understand their communities better than any outsider,” she said. “We must empower them to lead at scale.”
The event concluded with calls for increased public investment in education, social protection, and healthcare. Participants also advocated for progressive taxation, formalising the informal economy, and regulating monopolies.
Makina and Aguele both stressed that bold, data-driven reforms are necessary to build a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria.
“You do not need permission to lead,” Aguele told young Nigerians in her closing remarks. “It is already your time.”
