The Nigerian Presidency has dismissed a recent World Bank report estimating that over 139 million Nigerians are living in poverty, describing the figure as exaggerated and unrealistic.
In a statement on Thursday, presidential spokespersons said the projection does not align with the realities on the ground, insisting that government reforms and social intervention programmes have been cushioning economic hardship. The Presidency argued that while challenges exist, the World Bank’s methodology failed to reflect local data and ongoing poverty alleviation measures.
Officials cited initiatives such as conditional cash transfers, fuel subsidy savings redirected to social investments, and agricultural support schemes as evidence of government commitment to reducing poverty levels. They further maintained that international institutions should engage more with national statistics agencies before releasing poverty assessments that could misrepresent Nigeria’s progress.
The World Bank’s estimate, released earlier this week, suggested that worsening inflation and economic pressures have pushed a majority of Nigerians below the poverty line. The report has since stirred debate among economists, policymakers, and civil society, with some warning that official denials should not overshadow the urgency of addressing widespread hardship.
