Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s growing poverty crisis, warning that the country is sliding backward while politicians remain focused on power struggles and party control.
Obi stated that approximately 141 million Nigerians, or 62 percent of the population, are now living in poverty, describing the situation as a grave national failure and a threat to the country’s future.
“As 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: a staggering 62 percent of Nigerians are ensnared in poverty,” he said.
He cited data showing a sharp rise in poverty levels in recent years, noting that the number of Nigerians living in poverty increased from 81 million in 2019 to roughly 139 million in 2025. Poverty rose from 115 million in 2023 to 129 million in 2024, pushing 14 million more people into hardship within a single year. Projections for 2026 suggest this figure will reach around 141 million.
Obi highlighted the vulnerability of low-income households, noting that food constitutes up to 70 percent of their total spending, leaving them exposed to inflation and price shocks. He warned that a sustained increase in poverty could undermine public finances, erode human capital, and impede economic recovery unless there is robust job creation, productivity growth, and effective social protection programs.
He also criticized the failure to pay match allowances owed to members of Nigeria’s senior national football team, the Super Eagles. Obi described the situation as an embarrassing reflection of misplaced national priorities, pointing out that while huge public funds are written off or spent on projects of limited public benefit, basic obligations to the players remain unsettled.
“Can we get through a day without troubling news in this country? At a time when Nigerians need joy and unity, something the national football team has been providing by winning matches and lifting our spirits, these same players are being denied their basic match allowances,” Obi said.
He argued that national credibility depends on fulfilling commitments, insisting that Nigeria must learn to honor its obligations.
