Tinubu Government Rejects World Bank Report Claiming 139 Million Nigerians Live in Poverty!

Tinubu Government Rejects World Bank Report Claiming 139 Million Nigerians Live in Poverty!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

The Presidency has officially dismissed the recent World Bank report estimating that 139 million Nigerians are living in poverty, describing the figure as “unrealistic and disconnected from the country’s economic realities.”

Government’s Position

• The government argues that the World Bank’s data fails to account for the positive impacts of recent economic reforms and social investment programs initiated under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
• Officials emphasized ongoing efforts aimed at job creation, infrastructural development, and social welfare to alleviate poverty nationwide.
• A statement from the Presidential Communications Team stressed the need for accurate and context-sensitive data to guide policy-making and international reporting.

Why It Matters

• The World Bank’s figure, if accepted, would imply that roughly two-thirds of Nigeria’s population live below the poverty line, fueling concerns about economic inequality and development challenges.
• – The government’s rejection highlights the tension between international agencies’ assessments and official national data, raising questions about measurement methodologies and political narratives.
• Accurate poverty metrics are crucial for targeting aid, designing interventions, and attracting foreign investment.

Citations:

1. Premium Times – “Tinubu Govt Rejects World Bank’s Claim That 139 Million Nigerians Live in Poverty”
   https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/620584-tinubu-govt-rejects-world-banks-claim-that-139-million-nigerians-live-in-poverty.html
2. The Nation Nigeria – “FG Rejects World Bank’s Poverty Figures, Calls It ‘Disconnected’”
   https://thenationonlineng.net/fg-rejects-world-banks-poverty-figures-calls-it-disconnected/
3. Vanguard Nigeria – “World Bank Report On Nigeria’s Poverty ‘Unrealistic’ – Presidency”https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/09/world-bank-report-on-nigerias-poverty-unrealistic-presidency/

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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