Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed concern that more than half of Nigeria’s population is now living in poverty, warning that political leaders appear more preoccupied with power struggles than with improving citizens’ welfare.
In a post on his 𝕏 account on Thursday, Obi decried what he described as misplaced political priorities, stating: “As we politicians scramble for positions and vie for control of party structures, often sharing posts even before elections are concluded, a harsh truth confronts our nation.”
Referencing World Bank statistics, Obi said the population of Nigerians living in poverty has risen sharply from 81 million in 2019 to an estimated 139 million in 2025, with forecasts suggesting it could reach 141 million by 2026.
He added: “In just one year, from 2023 to 2024, the number of impoverished Nigerians jumped from 115 million to 129 million, an increase of 14 million individuals.”
He further cited the Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026 report, noting that sluggish income growth combined with persistently high living costs is expected to deepen poverty.
“Most Nigerians will not experience income growth sufficient to counter escalating costs,” he said, pointing to sustained inflation driven by energy prices, logistics challenges, and exchange-rate instability.
Obi highlighted the vulnerability of low-income households, noting: “Food constitutes up to 70% of their total spending, leaving them acutely exposed to food inflation and price shocks.”
He warned that the situation could weaken consumer demand, strain small businesses, and threaten public finances without urgent intervention. Drawing comparisons with other countries, he said: “India successfully reduced extreme poverty from 35–40% in 2000 to an astonishing 5.3% today. Indonesia, too, has made significant strides, cutting poverty from around 30% in 2000 to roughly 8%, all through unwavering investments in education, health, and social protection.”
By contrast, Obi observed that Nigeria’s poverty rate has increased from about 40% in 2000 to 62% today, asking: “Can we continue to tolerate the reality that a child born in Nigeria today faces one of the highest risks of being born into poverty anywhere in the world?”
He concluded by urging immediate and decisive action, declaring: “The fact that 141 million Nigerians are living in poverty is not merely a national failure; it is a blatant threat to our future. Structural reforms, macroeconomic stability, investment in agriculture, food supply, logistics, education, health, productivity, and large-scale job creation, are no longer optional; they are imperative.”
