World Bank says 79% of Nigerians poor despite Tinubu’s economic reforms
The World Bank’s newly approved Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria (2026‑2032) reports that 79 percent of Nigerians are poor or vulnerable to falling into poverty, despite nearly three years of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms. Specifically, 61 percent live below the poverty line and 33 percent are classified as ultra‑poor, unable to meet minimum food requirements. The report acknowledges that the reforms have stabilised the economy: growth rose from 3.5% in H1 2024 to 3.9% in H1 2025, foreign reserves rose above $42 billion, fiscal deficits narrowed and investor confidence improved. However, it stresses that these macro‑gains have not yet translated into meaningful improvements in living standards for most Nigerians.
This disconnect matters because while headline indicators suggest recovery, the majority of households continue to face food insecurity and limited purchasing power. Persistent poverty undermines social stability, limits consumer demand and signals that current reforms may be missing targeted interventions for the poorest segments. For ordinary Nigerians, the data suggest that cost‑of‑living pressures may persist even as macro indicators improve, highlighting the need to monitor inflation, job opportunities and social safety‑net programmes.
Given these figures, consider how your household budget might be affected by ongoing price pressures, what specific policies you would advocate to ensure growth reaches the poorest, and staying informed about upcoming government programmes that could directly improve living standards.