FEEL MY PULSE | Reactions of Nigerians to World Bank’s Poverty Revelation

A Nation in Shock: Nigerian Reactions to World Bank’s Poverty Revelation

The recent World Bank report revealing that 139 million Nigerians, approximately 61% of the population, are living in poverty has sent ripples of concern, anger, and introspection across the country.

Titled “From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home,” the October 2025 Nigeria Development Update was meant to highlight the progress of recent government reforms. Instead, it has become a sobering mirror reflecting the deepening economic hardship many Nigerians face.

The report underscores a troubling paradox: despite the Nigerian government’s implementation of key economic reforms since mid-2023, poverty has surged. In 2019, the poverty rate stood at 40%, affecting about 81 million people. Fast forward to 2025, and that figure has ballooned to 139 million. The World Bank attributes this spike to a 6.7% decline in average consumption over the past four years, with urban areas suffering the most significant reductions.

Public reaction has been swift and impassioned. Civil society organizations, opposition parties, and everyday citizens have voiced their dismay, questioning the efficacy and sincerity of the government’s reform agenda. Social media platforms have become arenas of outrage, with hashtags like #ReformWithoutRelief and #PovertyInNigeria trending nationwide. Many Nigerians feel betrayed, arguing that the reforms, such as subsidy removals, currency devaluation, and fiscal tightening, have disproportionately hurt the poor while failing to deliver promised economic dividends.

In northern Nigeria, where poverty is most acute, the report has reignited debates about regional inequality and systemic neglect. Political commentators and regional leaders have called for targeted interventions, emphasizing that blanket reforms cannot address the unique challenges faced by different parts of the country.

The World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, emphasized during the report’s launch in Abuja that reforms must translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives. He warned that without this connection, Nigeria risks losing the gains of its economic stabilization efforts.

For many Nigerians, the report is not just a statistical update, it is a painful validation of lived experiences. From rising food prices and fuel costs to dwindling job opportunities and collapsing public services, the symptoms of poverty are everywhere. The disconnect between policy and people has never felt more pronounced.

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the World Bank’s revelation has sparked a national reckoning. Nigerians are demanding not just reforms, but results, real, measurable improvements in their quality of life.

Whether the government can rise to this challenge remains to be seen, but the voices of 139 million impoverished citizens are now impossible to ignore.