The World Bank has sounded a fresh alarm over the worsening poverty crisis in Nigeria, with a shocking revelation that 75.5% of people in rural areas live below the poverty line.
This finding was published in the Bank’s April 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief for Nigeria, obtained by our correspondent. The report paints a troubling picture of living conditions in Nigeria, especially in remote and underdeveloped regions, where poverty continues to deepen.
The World Bank noted that poverty in rural Nigeria has become more severe due to economic stagnation, high inflation, insecurity, and limited access to essential services. While 41.3% of urban residents are considered poor, the figure jumps dramatically in rural zones.
“Based on the latest official household survey from Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, 30.9% of Nigerians lived below the international extreme poverty line of $2.15 per day as of 2018/19,” the report noted, adding that this was even before the COVID-19 pandemic worsened things.
Regional disparities remain stark. Poverty rates stood at 46.5% in northern Nigeria compared to 13.5% in the south. The World Bank also introduced a metric called the “Prosperity Gap,” which shows that Nigerian incomes would need to multiply by over 10 times to meet a $25 per day standard of living — far worse than many peer nations.
The poverty data was particularly grim for children and the uneducated. About 72.5% of children aged 0-14 live in poverty. Those without formal education had a poverty rate of 79.5%, while only 25.4% of people with tertiary education were considered poor.
The report also highlighted widespread deprivation beyond income. Around 32.6% of Nigerians lack safe drinking water, 45.1% have no basic sanitation, and nearly 40% live without electricity. Additionally, many adults have not completed primary school, and 9% of households have school-age children not enrolled in school.
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Before the pandemic, the World Bank said poverty reduction in Nigeria had nearly stalled. “Living standards of the urban poor are hardly improving, and productive jobs that could lift people out of poverty are lacking,” it added.
The report ties poverty in rural Nigeria to broader economic mismanagement. Weak institutions, overreliance on oil revenues, inconsistent policies, and currency devaluation are among the culprits. AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina added that Nigeria’s GDP per capita has dropped drastically since independence, suggesting the average Nigerian is worse off today than 64 years ago.
Adesina’s comments sparked debate. Presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga disputed his figures, arguing that life has improved in many other aspects, such as education, health, and access to technology, even if GDP numbers don’t tell the full story.
Civil society groups agree with the World Bank. Andrew Mamedu of ActionAid Nigeria blamed systemic corruption and poor policy implementation. “People are still getting poorer while a few are declaring trillions in profits. What we need is social protection and better support for small businesses,” he said.
Despite calls for reform, the federal government has remained silent. Attempts to get a reaction from the Ministry of Finance were unsuccessful.
Finance Minister Wale Edun had earlier stated that Nigeria must grow at 7% annually to lift its population out of poverty. At present, the country’s growth rate is hovering around 3.84% — far too low to make a real dent in poverty numbers.
Experts warn that without urgent reforms, poverty in rural Nigeria will continue to rise, posing a threat to national peace and stability. As economist Prof. Garba Sheka put it, “Giving handouts won’t solve the problem. We need bold, long-term strategies to tackle the root causes of poverty.”
