Poverty in Nigeria Now a ‘National Emergency’ – Peter Obi Sounds Alarm on Rising Crisis

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Peter Obi 

Lagos, Nigeria – Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has declared Nigeria’s escalating poverty rate a “national emergency,” urging immediate government intervention.  

In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, Obi blamed the worsening economic hardship on misplaced governmental priorities, calling for a drastic shift in policy to address the crisis.  

Citing a recent World Bank report, Obi revealed that over 75% of rural Nigerians now live in poverty, while 41.3% of urban dwellers struggle below the poverty line. These figures mark a sharp increase from the 30.9% extreme poverty rate recorded in 2018/2019, indicating a deepening crisis.  

“Poverty is no longer just a rural issue—it has become a national emergency,” Obi stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Instead of improving, the situation has more than doubled. This is unacceptable.”  

 

Obi criticized the government’s spending habits, arguing that funds are being wasted on non-essential projects like conference centers and luxury official vehicles instead of critical sectors like healthcare, education, and job creation.  

“We must redirect resources to where they matter most quality education, accessible healthcare, and support for small businesses,” he insisted.  

To combat poverty, Obi emphasized the need to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which serve as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. He also called for increased investment in human capital development to lift millions out of destitution.  

The statement has sparked renewed debate on social media, with many Nigerians echoing Obi’s concerns. However, the government is yet to issue an official response.  

As economic hardship continues to bite, the question remains: Will Nigeria’s leaders take decisive action, or will the poverty crisis spiral further?