Nigeria’s Poverty Crisis a ‘National Disgrace’ – ActionAid Slams Government Inaction

By Mustapha Muhammad

ActionAid Nigeria has criticized the Federal Government for its failure to tackle the deepening poverty crisis, calling the situation a “national disgrace.”

The rebuke follows the World Bank’s Africa’s Pulse report, which predicts Nigeria’s poverty rate will rise by 3.6 percentage points by 2027, with 106 million Nigerians surviving on less than $2.15 a day.

The report also notes that Nigeria accounts for 15% of the world’s extreme poor—a grim statistic for Africa’s largest economy.

Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, said this in a statement released on Saturday in Abuja.

He blamed the crisis on deliberate policy choices, persistent governance failures, and systemic corruption at all levels of government.

“Nigeria’s governance remains its greatest challenge,” Mamedu said, pointing to the World Bank’s findings that the country scores poorly on government effectiveness, accountability, and political stability.

He criticized leaders for “prioritizing luxury over lives,” citing extravagant budgets for SUVs and office renovationswhile millions suffer.

Mamedu also took aim at President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of “avoiding meaningful reforms” and relying on empty “social protection rhetoric” instead of tackling poverty’s root causes.

He further warned of Nigeria’s shrinking civic space, where activists and critics face intimidation, silencing, or detention.

Without urgent action, he cautioned, Nigeria risks becoming the“global capital of extreme poverty,” fueling mass migration and instability.

ActionAid urged citizens to demand accountability and pushed for sweeping reforms, including:

– Expanding social protection programs

– Boosting support for smallholder farmers

– Cutting wasteful government spending

– Enacting people-centered economic policies

– Protecting civic freedoms

– Improving education and infrastructure

“The time to be silent has passed,” Mamedu declared.

“Nigeria must prioritize the needs of its most vulnerable citizens to reverse this dangerous trend.”