A former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien, has ignited a firestorm of controversy by condemning politicians’ so-called empowerment programmes as a “wasteful cover-up” for years of governance failure. In a scathing statement released in Uyo on Tuesday, Essien criticized the political elite for using empowerment schemes to “squander people’s money,” arguing that these initiatives do little to address Nigeria’s underlying issues and instead perpetuate a cycle of dependence.
The ex-minister, who also led the South-south Parliamentary Caucus, described the empowerment programmes as a smokescreen for the government’s inability to create a sustainable environment where Nigerians can thrive independently. “The truth is, many people who were ‘empowered’ since 1999 are still standing in the same queue, waiting for the next round,” he said, accusing politicians of exploiting these schemes for political gain without offering real solutions.
Essien’s remarks have sparked outrage among proponents of these programmes, with critics accusing him of undermining efforts to alleviate poverty. But Essien was resolute, stressing that Nigerians need more than food handouts and cash distributions—they need access to land, loans, stable electricity, and infrastructure that can empower them to work, trade, and grow their businesses.
“Governments are supposed to create an enabling environment in which people can live in dignity,” Essien said, challenging the idea that empowerment is a form of charity, instead calling for long-term investments in human capacity. He pointed to successful international models, like Brazil’s conditional cash transfers and Bangladesh’s microcredit system, to highlight what he sees as the failures of Nigeria’s political system.
Further stoking the controversy, Essien took aim at Nigeria’s Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs, calling them “notorious pipelines for large-scale embezzlement.” He criticized the failure of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies to hold officials accountable for misappropriating billions intended for vulnerable citizens.
The ex-minister’s bold stance has sparked a wider debate over the effectiveness of empowerment programmes, with some accusing him of disregarding the immediate needs of the people. Others have supported his call for a return to good governance, arguing that it’s time to move beyond politically motivated handouts and focus on systemic reforms that will create sustainable opportunities for all Nigerians.
Essien’s remarks add fuel to the growing discontent over the state of Nigeria’s governance and the role of politicians in perpetuating a cycle of dependency rather than empowering citizens to thrive independently.
