By Miriam Humbe
China has achieved massive development since the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949, making it an economic hub for people all over the globe.
Since then, the Asian nation’s modernization is characterized by economic development and improved human capital, with poverty reduction being a central achievement, lifting nearly 800 million people from extreme poverty since 1978.
Key drivers of this growth included significant increases in agricultural productivity, rapid urbanization creating higher-paying jobs, and investments in education and healthcare.
This dual process of modernization and poverty reduction has positioned China as a major global economic force and contributed to achieving the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals.
Global Impact:
China’s success in poverty reduction played a significant role in achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals and serves as a model for other countries, particularly in the Global South.
China’s 75 years have seen unprecedented growth, lifting over 800 million people out of extreme poverty, a core achievement of its modernization, which centers on improving living standards, urbanizing its economy, and investing in human capital like education and health.
Key strategies include economic reforms and opening-up, a people-centric approach emphasizing targeted poverty alleviation, and shifting from a “demographic dividend” to a “talent dividend” through investments in education and advanced technology.
China became the first developing nation to eradicate absolute poverty, a feat unmatched in global history.
Economic Reforms and Growth
Opening-up and Market Expansion:
After reforms in 1978, China experienced an average GDP growth rate of over 9% annually, enabling significant economic expansion and poverty reduction.
Agricultural and Urban Development:
Early poverty reduction involved significant agricultural productivity gains, freeing up labor for higher-value manufacturing and service sectors, supported by rapid urbanization which provided higher-paying jobs.
Investment in Infrastructure:
Over 40 million people worldwide have benefited from projects under the Belt and Road Initiative since 2013, a strategy to boost connectivity and economic growth.
Targeted Poverty Alleviation
Precise, People-Centric Approach:
China’s hallmark of modernization has been its “targeted poverty alleviation” (TPA) strategy, focusing on specific needs through government-led programs, accurate identification of the poor, and precise support measures.
Shift In Focus:
The strategy involves a synergistic approach combining human development, land management, and industrial progress to eliminate poverty.
Eradication of Absolute Poverty:
China became the first developing nation to eradicate absolute poverty, a feat unmatched in global history.
Human Capital and Talent
Education and Healthcare:
Through continuous investment in education and healthcare, China has significantly uplifted human capital, with over 250 million university degrees awarded and the average working-age education reaching 11.05 years by 2023.
From Demographic to Talent Dividend:
China’s modernization is also characterized by a transition from a “demographic dividend” to a “talent dividend,” leveraging skilled populations for advanced development.
Key Principles of Chinese Modernization
People-Centric Development:
A core principle is meeting the people’s aspirations for a better life and ensuring development benefits are shared.
Synergy of Policies:
The success of poverty reduction is attributed to coordinated policies and social protection programs implemented at all levels of government.
Commitment and Political Engagement:
China’s achievements underscore the indispensable role of committed political will and engagement in implementing effective national poverty reduction programs.
While Nigeria and China share a desire for poverty reduction, their achievements over the past 75 years differ drastically. China has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty through economic reforms, massive investments, and targeted strategies.
Although frantic efforts are in place, Nigeria still faces high poverty rates and relies on international cooperation and internal programs like N-Power and conditional cash transfers to address the issue.
The two countries collaborate on poverty reduction, but China’s experiences provide a model of success that Nigeria aims to adapt, rather than a parallel achievement, according to The Nation Nigeria News.
China’s Achievements
Vast Poverty Reduction:
China has lifted nearly 800 million people out of poverty over four decades, a feat that accounted for more than 75% of global poverty reduction in that period.
Economic Reforms:
The country’s economic reforms, particularly since the 1980s, saw a significant increase in household income and poverty reduction, with rising labor earnings in both agriculture and non-agriculture sectors being a major driver.
Strategic Investments:
China’s success involved significant investments in research and development (R&D) and the creation of policies like the household registration system and targeted poverty alleviation strategies.
Common Prosperity Goal:
The concept of common prosperity, reiterating shared prosperity, set out a timeline for achieving equal access to basic services and for realizing the goal of common prosperity by 2050.
Nigeria’s Poverty Situation
High Poverty Rates:
Nigeria still struggles with widespread poverty, with over half its population living in multi-dimensional poverty, characterized by deprivations in sanitation, food security, and housing.
Resource-Rich but Poor:
Despite its vast oil and gas resources, Nigeria faces challenges in translating these into widespread poverty reduction for its large population.
Internal Programs:
Nigeria employs internal programs like the N-Power Programme for unemployed graduates, the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program providing financial aid to poor households, and the Home-Grown School Feeding Program to address poverty.
Collaboration And Lessons for Nigeria:
Mutual Learning:
Nigeria and China collaborate on humanitarian and poverty reduction efforts, with China expressing willingness to share its expertise and strategies with Nigeria.
Adapting China’s Model:
Nigeria has been studying China’s poverty reduction model to adapt its strategies, such as strengthening research, focusing on human capital, and developing specific programs to match its socio-economic needs.
Infrastructure And Human Capital:
Nigeria recognizes the importance of building basic infrastructure and improving human capital (health and education), which are considered essential for development and poverty reduction.
Since independence, Nigeria has launched over 40 poverty alleviation programs, with some notable efforts including Operation Feed the Nation (OFN), the Better Life Programme for Rural Dwellers, and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
The National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) was also a major initiative focused on skills acquisition, microcredit, and youth empowerment.
Other strategies involved improving access to basic services like education and healthcare, investing in rural infrastructure, and promoting economic empowerment through schemes like skill development and microcredit, though the effectiveness of these programs remains a subject of debate due to issues like corruption and poor coordination.
Key Initiatives and Programs
Operation Feed the Nation (OFN): An early agricultural program focused on food security.
Better Life for Rural Women: A gender-specific program aimed at improving the lives of rural women.
National Directorate of Employment (NDE): An effort to create employment opportunities and foster entrepreneurship.
National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP): A multi-pronged approach including:
Capacity Acquisition Programme (CAP): Focuses on skill development and training for self-reliance.
Support for microcredit and internship grants: Aims to support economic empowerment and employment.
Universal Basic Education (UBE): Aims to improve access to education for all citizens.
Infrastructure Projects: Initiatives focused on building rural infrastructure to boost economic activities.
Challenges to Effectiveness
Corruption and Misappropriation:
Diversion of resources intended for poverty reduction is a significant problem.
Lack of Continuity:
Programs are often halted or replaced with changes in government, leading to a lack of long-term impact.
Poor Coordination:
Inconsistent coordination among different poverty alleviation programs hinders their effectiveness.
Elitist Approach:
Some policies are perceived to benefit a select few rather than the broad masses.
Current Approach, Holistic and Sustainable Development:
There’s a call for a more comprehensive and sustained approach to poverty reduction, focusing on the specific needs of the citizens and ensuring long-term financing of viable programs.
Accountability and Monitoring:
A strong recommendation for instilling public accountability and implementing proper coordination and monitoring systems to ensure the success of implemented policies.
What are the strategies for poverty eradication in Nigeria?
Fighting corruption is an important step in helping the country end its growing poverty rates. To do this, a thorough anti-corruption campaign and strict financial control are needed. Fighting corruption has a direct influence on poverty reduction, as opposed to education, which decreases poverty gradually.
As a step forward, Nigeria has emplaced anti-corruption agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau, and Financial Reporting Council.
These agencies work assiduously to curb the trend of corruption in Nigeria’s public sector and enhance accountability aimed to speed up development.
