World Bank Report Highlights Deepening Rural Poverty in Nigeria.

A recent World Bank report (April 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief) reveals a concerning trend of escalating poverty in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas. The report indicates that a staggering 75.5% of rural Nigerians live below the poverty line, reflecting the deepening economic hardship within the nation’s hinterlands.

The report highlights several contributing factors, including economic stagnation, high inflation, and pervasive insecurity. These issues are compounded by existing regional disparities, with poverty rates significantly higher in northern geopolitical zones. Furthermore, lack of education and limited access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, and electricity contribute to widespread multidimensional poverty.

While acknowledging recent economic reforms, the World Bank emphasizes the need for urgent policy interventions to protect vulnerable populations from inflationary pressures and stimulate job creation in more productive sectors of the economy. Failure to address these challenges risks further exacerbating poverty and inequality across Nigeria.