Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has warned that Nigeria’s poverty crisis is worsening, as political leaders focus on power struggles and party control instead of governance.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi said about 141 million Nigerians—roughly 62 per cent of the population—now live in poverty. He described the situation as a serious national failure and a looming danger to the country’s future.
He lamented that while politicians scramble for positions and share offices even before elections end, millions of Nigerians continue to sink deeper into hardship.
Citing World Bank data, Obi noted that poverty levels have surged in recent years. He said the number of poor Nigerians rose from 81 million in 2019 to about 139 million in 2025.
According to him, the situation deteriorated sharply within one year, as poverty figures climbed from 115 million in 2023 to 129 million in 2024, pushing an additional 14 million people into hardship.
Obi added that projections for 2026 put the figure at around 141 million, meaning about 26 million Nigerians would fall into poverty between 2023 and 2026.
He warned that low-income households remain most exposed, as food accounts for up to 70 per cent of their spending, making them highly vulnerable to food inflation and price shocks.
Obi said sustained poverty could weaken public finances, erode human capital, and stall economic recovery unless Nigeria prioritises job creation, productivity growth, and strong social protection programmes.
Comparing Nigeria with other developing countries, Obi said nations like India and Indonesia have reduced poverty through steady investments in education, healthcare, and social welfare, while Nigeria has moved in the opposite direction.
He noted that Nigeria’s poverty rate has climbed from about 40 per cent in 2000 to 62 per cent today, adding that the country still lags behind peers on human development indicators.
“The reality that 141 million Nigerians live in poverty is not just a national failure; it is a clear threat to our future. The era of complacency must end,” Obi said.
