ADC presidential aspirant Peter Obi has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s worsening poverty situation, saying the country is sliding backwards as politicians remain preoccupied with power struggles and party control.
In a statement released on Thursday, Obi revealed that about 141 million Nigerians—62% of the population—are now living in poverty, calling it a grave national failure and a threat to the nation’s future.
“As politicians scramble for positions and vie for control of party structures, often sharing posts even before elections are over, a harsh reality stares us in the face: roughly 141 million people are trapped in poverty,” Obi said.
He referenced World Bank data showing that poverty in Nigeria has surged dramatically, rising from 81 million in 2019 to approximately 139 million in 2025. Within just one year, the number of Nigerians living in poverty jumped from 115 million in 2023 to 129 million in 2024, adding 14 million more people to hardship. Projections for 2026 indicate the figure could reach 141 million, meaning millions more will struggle unless urgent action is taken.
Obi highlighted the plight of low-income households, saying many spend up to 70% of their income on food, leaving them extremely vulnerable to price shocks and inflation. He warned that without robust job creation, productivity growth, and effective social programs, the country’s public finances, human capital, and economic recovery could all be at risk.
Comparing Nigeria with other developing nations, Obi noted that countries like India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh have reduced poverty through sustained investments in education, healthcare, and social protection, while Nigeria has moved in the opposite direction.
“From around 40% in 2000 to 62% today, poverty in Nigeria continues to rise. By 2025, while India and Bangladesh made impressive progress, Nigeria remains entrenched in the low human development category after 25 years. The fact that 141 million Nigerians are living in poverty is not just a national failure; it is a blatant threat to our future,” Obi said.
