139 Million Nigerians in Poverty: Government Urged to Shift Focus
Today, October 17, 2025, marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Unfortunately, Nigeria's situation is quite dire, with approximately 139 million people living in poverty, according to a recent World Bank report. This number has increased from 87 million in 2023, when President Bola Tinubu assumed office. The government's economic policies have been criticized for worsening poverty, with many Nigerians struggling to afford basic necessities due to inflation, food insecurity, and a high cost of living. The removal of fuel subsidies and the liberalization of the exchange rate have been touted as fiscal reforms, but they have also led to increased hardship for many citizens. Expectations from the Government Nigerians expect their government to prioritize policies that address the root causes of poverty, such as: - Improved healthcare: Investing in healthcare infrastructure to reduce the country's low life expectancy (54.9 years) and high mortality rates. ...