A recent report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlights the alarming state of poverty in Nigeria. This report reveals that a staggering 133 million Nigerians, equivalent to 64% of the population, live in poverty, surpassing the World Bank’s projections for 2022.
Despite monthly federal allocations, poverty is particularly concentrated in the northern regions of the country. This article presents an overview of the NBS report, emphasizing key findings and regional disparities.
Regional Disparities:
The northwest region emerges as the epicenter of poverty in Nigeria, with over 45 million individuals living in impoverished conditions.
Four of the five poorest states in the country are situated in the north, with Sokoto taking the lead, closely followed by Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina. Shockingly, Bayelsa, an oil-producing state, ranks second on the poverty index, highlighting complex socioeconomic challenges that transcend resource abundance.
Urban vs. Rural Poverty:
The NBS report underscores the multi-dimensional nature of poverty in Nigeria, encompassing aspects such as monetary poverty, food insecurity, and overall security concerns. It also reveals stark disparities between urban and rural areas, with approximately 70% of rural Nigerians living in poverty, compared to 30% of urban dwellers. This rural-urban gap emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to alleviate poverty in both settings.
Geopolitical Zones:
The report categorizes poverty by geopolitical zones, shedding light on regional variances. The North West, North East, and North Central regions have the highest poverty rates, while the South-South, South West, and South East fare relatively better. South East stands out as the least impoverished zone, with 10.86 million individuals living in poverty.
In conclusion, the NBS report on Nigeria’s poverty rate is a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to tackle poverty, particularly in the northern regions.
Addressing poverty in both urban and rural settings, along with targeted interventions in the poorest states, is essential for sustainable development.
The report’s findings underscore the importance of addressing multidimensional aspects of poverty and working collaboratively to improve access to health, education, living standards, employment, and security for all Nigerians.
