Peter Obi laments over rise in poverty rate

Former Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi, has lamented over what he describes as a rising tide of poverty in the country. The politician on his X handle on Thursday, analysed the World Bank data, stating that Nigeria is to experience a poverty surge.

Peter Obi in his post, lamented over the shift in focus from the hardship of Nigerians to the forthcoming elections, reminding politicians of the living condition of the average Nigerian.

“As we politicians scramble for positions and vie for control of party structures, often sharing posts even before elections are conclude, a harsh truth confronts our nation. According to World Bank data, the number of Nigerians living in poverty surged from 81 million in 2019 to approximately 139 million in 2025. 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. Projections for 2026 suggest that this figure will reach around 141 million, meaning an additional 26 million Nigerians will be thrust into poverty between 2023 and 2026,” he wrote.

The Former Labour Party Presidential candidate also claimed that the country is slowly becoming a national failure, adding that the economic state will affect the low-income households.

“Most Nigerians will not experience income growth sufficient to counter escalating costs. Although headline inflation may moderate, sustained high prices stemming from energy, logistics, and exchange-rate fluctuations will remain a burden. Low-income households are especially at risk, as food constitutes up to 70% of their total spending, leaving them acutely vulnerable to food inflation and price shocks. 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?”

”The fact that 141 million Nigerians are living in poverty is not merely a national failure; it is a blatant threat to our future. The time for complacency has passed. 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,” he added.