Presidency Fires Back at World Bank Over Report Claiming 139 Million Nigerians Live in Poverty

The Nigerian Presidency has strongly refuted a recent World Bank report that claimed 139 million Nigerians are living in poverty, describing the data as misleading, exaggerated, and disconnected from Nigeria’s current economic reality.

In an official statement, the presidency criticized the World Bank’s poverty assessment, noting that it failed to reflect the impact of ongoing government reforms, job creation initiatives, and social investment programs designed to uplift millions of citizens from hardship.

According to government officials, Nigeria’s poverty rate is gradually improving despite global economic pressures. They highlighted the administration’s efforts in areas such as agricultural expansion, small business support, youth empowerment, and infrastructure development — all aimed at fostering economic growth and reducing poverty nationwide.

“While we acknowledge that many Nigerians are still facing economic challenges, it is inaccurate to suggest that over half of the population lives in extreme poverty,” a presidential spokesperson stated. “The data used by the World Bank does not capture the ongoing positive changes and government interventions across various sectors.”

The presidency’s reaction has ignited nationwide discussions across social media and political circles. Some Nigerians are calling for more transparent data-sharing between local authorities and international organizations, while others insist that both parties must work together to address poverty with facts rather than assumptions.

As the debate continues, one thing is certain — Nigeria’s fight against poverty remains a top national priority. With the government’s renewed focus on sustainable economic reforms, stakeholders believe that the country’s poverty index will continue to decline in the years ahead.