Key Points

• Obi warns that 141 million Nigerians now live in poverty while political leaders focus on power struggles.

• World Bank figures show poverty rising fast, with millions pushed into hardship in just a few years.

• Obi also criticises unpaid Super Eagles allowances as another sign of poor priorities and broken promises.

Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has warned that Nigeria is getting poorer by the day, even as politicians remain busy fighting over power and party positions.

In a statement on Sunday, Obi pointed to recent figures showing that about 141 million Nigerians, nearly two out of every three people, are now living in poverty.

He described the situation as dangerous and bad for the country’s future.

Obi criticised political leaders for focusing more on elections, party control, and personal ambition than on the real problems Nigerians face.

While politicians argue over who gets what, he noted, millions of Nigerians are struggling to buy food, pay rent, and survive daily life as prices keep rising.

Poverty Numbers Getting Worse

Referring to World Bank data, Obi said poverty has increased greatly in recent years. In 2019, about 81 million Nigerians were living in poverty. By 2025, that number had risen to around 139 million.

However, between 2023 and 2024, things got worse. The number of people living in poverty increased from roughly 115 million to 129 million during that time.

That means about 14 million more Nigerians fell into hardship in just one year.

More Nigerians at Risk

Obi warned that the problem is not slowing down. Projections for 2026 show that as many as 141 million Nigerians could be living in poverty.

If that happens, about 26 million people would have been pushed into poverty between 2023 and 2026.

He said poor families are suffering the most. Many households now spend most of their income on food, leaving little or nothing for other needs.

What This Means for Nigeria

According to Obi, rising poverty hurts the whole country. It weakens the economy, puts pressure on government finances, and makes recovery difficult if jobs are not created and support for the poor is not improved.

He compared Nigeria with other developing countries. While poverty in Nigeria has risen from about 40 percent in 2000 to 62 percent today, countries like India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia have made better progress.

By 2025, India and Bangladesh recorded a human development index of about 0.685, while Indonesia reached around 0.74.

Nigeria, at about 0.53, is still stuck in the low development group after more than 20 years.

“The fact that 141 million Nigerians are living in poverty is not something to joke with,” Obi said. “It puts our future at risk.”

Unpaid Super Eagles Allowances

Obi also spoke about reports that players of the Super Eagles are still owed match allowances.

He described the situation as embarrassing, especially when the team has been giving Nigerians reasons to smile through their performances.

Obi said it is wrong for a country to spend huge amounts of money on things that do not help ordinary people, yet fail to pay players their agreed bonuses.

About Trust and Responsibility

He said the issue is not just about football. It shows a bigger problem of not keeping promises.

According to Obi, Nigeria’s image depends on its ability to honour agreements, whether in government or sports. The Super Eagles, he added, deserve respect and fair treatment.

For Obi, both the rising poverty and the unpaid allowances point to the same issue.

Until leaders start putting people first, he warned, the country will continue to struggle.