Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has voiced deep concern over the alarming poverty levels in Nigeria. Speaking at a lecture in Abuja to mark the 90th birthday of former head of state Yakubu Gowon, Adesina stressed that poverty reduction is critical for Nigeria to strengthen its influence on the African continent and the global stage. He cited data from the National Bureau of Statistics showing that 63% of Nigerians, or about 133 million people, are affected by multidimensional poverty.
Adesina highlighted the severe impact of poverty in rural areas, particularly in northern Nigeria, where 65% of the poor reside. He noted that widespread deprivation is evident in areas such as sanitation, healthcare, housing, and food security, with millions relying on charcoal and firewood for cooking instead of clean energy. The increasing poverty, he warned, is driving crime and worsening living conditions across the country. Adesina called for urgent efforts to restore law and order, stabilize communities, and safeguard livelihoods.
To address food inflation, which hovers around 40%, Adesina emphasized the need for stronger security measures in agricultural zones. He urged the government to adopt advanced surveillance tools, including drones and artificial intelligence, to enhance safety in food production areas. Adesina also shared that the AfDB and its partners are investing over $840 million in agro-processing zones across eight states, aiming to boost Nigeria’s agricultural competitiveness and food security.