Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has sounded a fresh alarm over Nigeria’s worsening poverty crisis, warning that the country is regressing while political actors remain preoccupied with power struggles and control of party structures.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi disclosed that about 141 million Nigerians—representing 62 percent of the population—are currently living in poverty, describing the situation as a grave national failure and a direct threat to the country’s future.
“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: a staggering 62 percent of Nigerians, roughly 141 million people, are ensnared in poverty,” he said.
Citing World Bank data, Obi noted a dramatic rise in poverty levels over the past few years, with the number of Nigerians living below the poverty line increasing from 81 million in 2019 to about 139 million in 2025.
According to him, the situation deteriorated sharply within a single year, as poverty figures climbed from 115 million in 2023 to 129 million in 2024, pushing an additional 14 million Nigerians into hardship.
“Projections for 2026 suggest that this figure will reach around 141 million, meaning an extra 26 million Nigerians will be forced into poverty between 2023 and 2026,” Obi stated.
He warned that low-income households are particularly vulnerable, as food accounts for up to 70 percent of their total expenditure, exposing them to severe food inflation and price shocks.
“A sustained increase in poverty could unravel public finances, erode human capital and stall economic recovery unless we achieve robust job creation, productivity growth and effective social protection programmes,” he added.
Obi further lamented that Nigeria’s poverty rate has risen from about 40 percent in 2000 to an alarming 62 percent today, while the country continues to lag behind peers in human development.
“By 2025, while India and Bangladesh advanced to 0.685 and Indonesia to 0.74, Nigeria remained stuck at 0.53, firmly within the low human development category after 25 years,” he said.
“The fact that 141 million Nigerians are living in poverty is not just a national failure; it is a blatant threat to our future. The time for complacency has passed.”
Obi Slams NFF Over Unpaid Super Eagles Allowances
Meanwhile, Obi also criticised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the alleged failure to pay match allowances owed to members of the Super Eagles, describing it as an embarrassing reflection of Nigeria’s misplaced priorities.
Reacting to reports that players were still being owed bonuses despite their morale-boosting performances, Obi questioned the country’s commitment to its obligations.
“Can we get through a day without troubling news in this country?” he asked.
“At a time when Nigerians need joy and unity—something the Super Eagles have been providing by winning matches and lifting our spirits globally—these same players are being denied their basic match allowances,” he said.
Obi contrasted the situation with what he described as the ease with which massive public funds are written off or spent on projects that offer little benefit to ordinary Nigerians.
“A country that writes off trillions in debts for government agencies and political allies, and squanders money on grandiose, self-serving projects, now struggles to pay basic match bonuses owed to its players,” he said.
He warned that the issue goes beyond sports, stressing that Nigeria’s credibility depends on its ability to honour commitments.
“The Super Eagles do not deserve this embarrassment or the avoidable distractions ahead of a crucial quarter-final match. Nigeria must learn to fulfil its obligations,” Obi concluded.