By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi has warned that Nigeria is facing a severe poverty crisis, with 62% of the population, approximately 141 million people, living in poverty.
He attributes this to politicians’ focus on power struggles and party politics, rather than addressing the nation’s economic challenges. Peter Obi said, “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.”
According to Peter Obi, World Bank data shows that poverty levels have risen sharply, from 81 million in 2019 to 139 million in 2025, with 14 million more Nigerians falling into poverty between 2023 and 2024. He predicts that this number will reach 141 million by 2026, pushing an additional 26 million people into poverty. He said, “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. It is estimated that by 2026, an overwhelming 141 million people, 62 percent of the population, will be living in poverty. Low-income households are especially at risk, as food constitutes up to 70 percent of their total spending, leaving them acutely vulnerable to food inflation and price shocks.”
Peter Obi also criticized the government’s priorities, stating the failure to pay allowances to Super Eagles players as an example. “Can we get through a day without troubling news in this country?” he asked. He contrasted this with the government’s willingness to write off debts and fund unnecessary projects, saying “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 the basic match bonuses owed to our players.” He emphasized that the country must prioritize its commitments and fulfill its obligations, saying “Nigeria must learn to fulfill its obligations.”
