The former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi says the recent World Bank report on increasing poverty in Nigeria confirms that poverty in the country has worsened significantly.
Mr. Obi who stated this in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, blamed this on years of misplaced priorities.
He affirmed that rather than investing in critical sectors, the country continues to prioritize wasteful spending on non-developmental projects such as conference centres, government houses and lodges, guest houses, and fleets of official vehicles.
He added that the country invests in luxury things instead of investing in human capital, education, and healthcare, which are the true legacy projects capable of transforming a nation.
The World Bank reported that, as of April 2025, the poverty rate among rural Nigerians has risen to over 75%, indicating widespread economic hardship across the country.
The report also highlighted that 41.3% of Nigeria’s urban population now lives below the poverty line. In comparison, it reported that in 2018/2019, about 30.9% of Nigerians lived below the international extreme poverty line.
“This shows that poverty is no longer just a rural crisis—it has become a national emergency,” Obi said.
He stated that the time is ripe for all levels of government to prioritize critical areas of development—particularly investment in health, education, and poverty alleviation.
“We must urgently redirect our national focus and address the root causes of poverty.
“Nigeria must expand access to quality education and healthcare, and support job creation by investing in and empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are essential for lifting people out of poverty,” he said.
