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Abuja – The Coalition for United Political Parties (CUPP) is sounding the alarm, calling on Nigeria’s federal government to urgently heed expert advice and implement solid, evidence-based policies to combat the deepening Nigeria poverty crisis.
High Chief Peter Ameh, CUPP’s National Secretary, painted a grim picture, stating that the nation confronts a “dire humanitarian and economic crisis.” He drew attention to alarming statistics on child malnutrition. “Nigeria faces a dire humanitarian and economic crisis, with the country holding the unenviable position of having the most malnourished children in Africa and the second highest globally, according to UNICEF,” Ameh declared.
Stark Numbers Reveal Scale of Nigeria Poverty Crisis
Recent data amplifies CUPP’s concerns. According to the World Bank’s April 2025 report:
- A staggering 75.5% of rural Nigerians live below the poverty line.
- In urban areas, 41.3% of dwellers face similar hardship.
- Overall, more than 54% of the entire population is struggling in abject poverty.
Ameh emphasized the rapid deterioration. “This represents a staggering increase of 42 million people since 2018/19, when the poverty rate stood at 30.9%,” he noted. The crisis hits children hardest, with a reported 72.5% of those aged 0-14 living in poverty. These figures underscore the severe Nigeria poverty crisis.
Listen to Experts, Foster Dialogue – CUPP
CUPP strongly urged the government to engage seriously with economic experts and encourage broad, inclusive discussions to formulate effective policies. The aim should be to tackle the root causes of poverty, not just the symptoms. Ameh pointed to respected figures like Peter Obi and Akinwumi Adesina, who have “offered actionable solutions to Nigeria’s economic free fall.” He stressed, “A responsive government would engage and interrogate the ideas offered by these well-meaning, highly intelligent Nigerians… to craft policies that address the root causes of poverty.”
Urgent Call for Decisive Government Action
To pull Nigeria back from its current path, CUPP insisted the government must act with resolve. This means taking expert advice seriously and implementing policies proven to work against the Nigeria poverty crisis. “For Nigeria to reverse its downward trajectory, the government must act decisively,” Ameh concluded, reiterating the need for smart, evidence-based interventions.
By Abdullah Korede
