The Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria hosted its 12th Annual Public Lecture on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at The Marquee, Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The lecture, themed “Poverty Alleviation, Economic Development and Stability of the Nigerian Economy,” was part of the activities marking the church’s 70th anniversary.

In his opening remarks, the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Sam Aboyeji, emphasized the church’s commitment to partnering with the government and stakeholders to build a stronger Nigeria. He described poverty as one of the nation’s most pressing challenges and called for practical, sustainable, and inclusive solutions.

Chairman of the event, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, highlighted the need for collaboration between government, faith-based organizations, corporate entities, and wealthy individuals in tackling poverty. He said poverty remains one of the greatest challenges confronting nations, including Nigeria, and that it undermines the quality of life of millions while threatening long-term stability. According to him, leaders in government, the church, and the private sector must collaborate to break the cycle of poverty.

Governor Abiodun outlined his administration’s poverty reduction efforts, including providing farmers with resources to increase yields and lower food costs, offering free healthcare to vulnerable groups, and introducing CNG buses and electric vehicles to reduce transportation expenses. He noted that these initiatives align with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to “let the poor breathe” while promoting inclusive economic growth.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Doyin Salami, Senior Fellow and Associate Professor at Lagos Business School, identified agriculture as a critical sector for Nigeria’s economic growth. He noted that agriculture accounts for nearly 29 percent of Nigeria’s economy, yet is dominated by small-scale farmers who face low productivity and limited access to resources.

Dr. Salami proposed “farmer aggregation” as a more sustainable alternative to traditional cooperatives. In this model, aggregators would integrate small farmers into structured networks, providing them with inputs, extension services, access to finance, and technical support. Aggregators would also liaise with banks to secure funding and disburse loans to farmers within their networks. He argued that this system would address major challenges such as inadequate capital, poor management, and lack of technical expertise, while maximizing Nigeria’s agricultural potential.

A panel of expert discussants enriched the conversation, including Pastor Ben Akabueze, former Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation; Mrs. Ini Abimbola, a development expert; and Dr. Otive Igbuzor, a policy analyst. Other dignitaries present included Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, founder and senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre, among others.

In his closing charge, Rev. Aboyeji reiterated that the church will continue to provide intellectual discourse and godly counsel to guide governance and foster national transformation. Governor Abiodun also renewed his call for synergy between faith-based institutions, individuals, corporate bodies, and government in creating long-term strategies to break the cycle of poverty and ensure economic stability.