The Nigerian federal government has pushed back against a recent World Bank assessment claiming that 139 million people in the country are trapped in poverty, labeling the statistic as an inflated projection that fails to align with on-the-ground economic conditions.
In a pointed response shared on social media Wednesday, Sunday Dare, who serves as Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, urged a more nuanced reading of the data. He argued that the numbers, while useful for international comparisons, do not capture the full picture of Nigeria’s dynamic economy.
“The partnership with the World Bank is something we hold in high regard, and their insights on policy are invaluable,” Dare wrote. “That said, this particular poverty estimate needs to be viewed through the lens of its methodological constraints—it’s simply not grounded in our current realities.”
The government’s critique centers on the World Bank’s use of a universal poverty threshold of $2.15 per day per individual, established in 2017 and adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). Officials pointed out that, when translated to local currency at prevailing rates, this equates to roughly $64.50 monthly—or about 100,000 naira—surpassing the nation’s recently enacted minimum wage of 70,000 naira.
Dare’s office elaborated that such metrics draw heavily from outdated household spending surveys, with Nigeria’s most recent comprehensive data dating back to 2018-2019. This approach, they contend, largely bypasses the informal sector and self-sustaining rural activities that support a significant portion of the population. “It’s more of a theoretical global snapshot than a snapshot of life here today,” the statement read. “Our focus should be on progress, and under this administration, we’re seeing clear signs of rebound and equitable advancement.”
To underscore its proactive stance, the administration touted a suite of expanded support measures designed to soften the blow of structural adjustments and foster sustainable upliftment. These include:
– **Conditional Cash Transfers**: Now covering up to 15 million families via a digitized national registry, with over 297 billion naira distributed since 2023 to aid low-income groups.
– **Renewed Hope Ward Development Program**: A nationwide effort reaching all 8,809 polling units, funding small-scale infrastructure, job training, and community services.
– **Revitalized National Social Investment Programs**: Bolstering initiatives like N-Power for youth employment, low-interest loans for traders and farmers (GEEP schemes), and school meal programs to retain students.
– **Agricultural Support Drives**: Rolling out discounted seeds, fertilizers, and grain stockpiles, alongside farm mechanization deals to tame food inflation.
– **Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund**: Backing vital upgrades in electricity, transportation, and affordable housing to cut costs and spark hiring.
– **National Credit Guarantee Scheme**: Partnering with banks to offer low-risk financing for startups, especially targeting women and young entrepreneurs.
These efforts, the government asserts, are part of a broader strategy to dismantle long-standing barriers to efficiency and shared prosperity. Key moves like phasing out fuel subsidies, harmonizing currency values, and redirecting budgets toward growth areas are framed as tough but essential steps to address poverty’s underlying drivers.
Dare’s message nodded to World Bank endorsements of these changes, quoting agency leaders who have praised the emerging stability and upward growth trends. Yet, the administration stressed that stability must yield concrete benefits for everyday citizens—cheaper groceries, steady work, and dependable utilities.
Looking ahead, priorities include surging investments in farming, industry, and energy reliability, such as gas-powered plants and vocational centers, to drive down expenses and open doors to employment. “As these roll out, citizens will notice tangible shifts in affordability and earnings,” the release promised.
Further solidifying its safety net, the Tinubu team is merging welfare efforts into a single, tech-enabled system for better oversight, including an upgraded social registry to ensure aid reaches every needy corner.
In wrapping up, the statement reaffirmed the president’s vision for a tough, opportunity-rich economy where expansion lifts all boats. “We won’t accept alarmist data that ignores our context,” it declared. “Instead, we’re committed to strengthening families, broadening access, and crafting a more just and thriving future.”
The rebuttal came hours after the World Bank unveiled its October 2025 Nigeria Development Update, dubbed “From Policy to People: Delivering Reform Benefits to Households.” At the event, Country Director Mathew Verghis hailed Nigeria’s aggressive policy pivots on currency and fuel pricing as game-changers with potential to redefine the nation’s path.
“These past couple of years have seen courageous overhauls in exchange rates and fuel subsidies—building blocks for a game-changing economic shift,” Verghis stated. He drew parallels to India’s transformative 1990s liberalization, warning that such pivotal moments are fleeting and demand swift action.
Verghis highlighted early wins: accelerating GDP, bolstered public coffers, healthier debt metrics, a steadier forex landscape, swelling reserves, and moderating price pressures. “This is the textbook playbook for stabilization—achievements that elude many nations,” he observed.
Still, he flagged a critical gap: these gains haven’t yet eased the squeeze on average families. Citing a climb in deprivation since 2019—fueled by misaligned decisions and global disruptions like the pandemic—Verghis pegged the 2025 poor at 139 million, up from 129 million earlier this year and 87 million in 2023. Without bridging policy wins to household relief, he cautioned, the momentum could stall.
