Atiku Warns That Poverty, Nigeria’s ‘Greatest Enemy,’ Breeds Insecurity and Hopelessness, Cites 139 Million Poor Nigerians

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has decried the worsening poverty crisis in Nigeria, labeling it the nation’s most formidable challenge and issuing a stern warning that the economic hardship is fueling widespread insecurity and hopelessness.

In a statement released on his social media handle on Saturday to commemorate the International Day for Poverty Eradication, the former presidential candidate lamented that despite the country’s abundant human and natural resources, Nigeria remains among the nations hardest hit by poverty.

“Poverty is the greatest enemy that humanity has ever known. Wherever it takes root, whether in the life of an individual or across a society, it breeds other troubles like disease, ignorance, insecurity, and hopelessness,” Atiku stated. He further emphasized the link between economic deprivation and social unrest, noting, “As a wise Nigerian proverb says, ‘When the poor man is hungry, peace sleeps outside.’“

The politician’s strong remarks are underscored by sobering data from a recent World Bank Nigeria Development Update report, which estimates that a staggering 139 million Nigerians are still living in poverty in 2025. The report highlights that persistent high food inflation which has seen the cost of a basic food basket increase fivefold since 2019 continues to erode the purchasing power of the poor.

Atiku called the commemoration a “timely reminder and a call to action,” urging governments at all levels, civil society organizations, and stakeholders to implement urgent, genuine, and people-centred interventions. He advocated for taking the fight “to every home, every community, and every school so that the ordinary Nigerian becomes part of the solution” in a concerted effort to empower citizens and lift communities out of poverty.