Fact Check: What the Evidence Says About Peter Obi’s 140 Million Poverty Claim
Peter Obi said more than 140 million Nigerians live in poverty and severe hardship. Available evidence supports the wider picture of widespread deprivation, but the exact claim depends on the measure being used. The latest National Bureau of Statistics multidimensional poverty survey, based on 2021/22 data, found that about 133 million Nigerians were multidimensionally poor. More recent World Bank estimates put about 63 percent of Nigerians, roughly 140 million people, below the national poverty line in 2025. A PwC projection also placed the 2026 figure at about 141 million. Other claims in Obi’s address have mixed support. UNICEF estimated about 18.3 million primary and junior-secondary-age children were out of school, while UN agencies projected nearly 35 million people could face acute food insecurity during the 2026 lean season. Data also supports concerns about drug use and low life expectancy, though some figures vary by source and year. The evidence supports the claim that poverty and hardship are widespread. However, it does not conclusively prove that more than 140 million Nigerians are currently experiencing both multidimensional poverty and severe hardship under one official measure.
Use The App To Win ₦1m
Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.