The poverty figures are contained in the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).

According to the report, the number of Nigerians classified as multidimensionally poor rose from 72.2 million in 2021 to 90.1 million in 2024, representing an increase of approximately 17.9 million people. The poverty rate also climbed from 33 per cent to 38.7 per cent during the period.

The findings suggest that Nigeria’s earlier progress in reducing overlapping forms of deprivation has been reversed, highlighting the difficulty of translating economic reforms and growth into improved living conditions for millions of citizens.

Unlike income-based poverty measures, the Multidimensional Poverty Index assesses several disadvantages people experience at the same time. Its indicators include nutrition, child mortality, years of schooling, school attendance, access to electricity, drinking water, sanitation, cooking fuel, housing and household assets.

Globally, the 2026 report estimated that 1.2 billion people across 108 countries were living in acute multidimensional poverty, representing 18.9 per cent of the 6.3 billion people covered by the assessment.

Children accounted for 617 million, or 51.5 per cent, of the global population classified as multidimensionally poor. The report also found that more than eight in every 10 affected people lived in rural areas, while Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest regional burden, with approximately 616 million people experiencing multidimensional poverty.

The figures underscore the need for policies that improve access to essential services, education, healthcare, electricity and other basic necessities, particularly for vulnerable households.

Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris has said Nigeria’s economy is projected to grow by more than four per cent in 2026, describing the government’s economic reforms as steps towards sustained recovery.

Idris made the remarks on Monday, October 12, during an engagement with senior editors and journalists at Radio House in Abuja, where he discussed the administration’s economic, security and social policies.

According to the minister, inflation has declined from approximately 27 per cent in January 2025 to around 15 per cent, while the country’s external reserves exceeded $54 billion in September. He said the government ultimately aims to bring inflation into single digits.

Idris also reported that Nigeria’s current account surplus increased from $8.6 billion in the first half of 2025 to $12 billion during the corresponding period in 2026. He attributed improvements in the country’s economic outlook to ongoing reforms, increased crude oil production and reduced oil theft.

The minister further said Nigeria generated more than $6 billion from non-oil exports in 2025, which he described as a record. He noted that sectors including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, processing and logistics were contributing to efforts to diversify the economy.

He added that the foreign exchange market had become more stable, allowing businesses and investors to plan with greater confidence. Infrastructure projects across the country, he said, were also creating opportunities for contractors, engineers, suppliers, artisans and other workers.

Despite these developments, Idris acknowledged that many households continued to face cost-of-living pressures. He said the government’s priority was to ensure that improvements in economic indicators translated into more employment opportunities, stronger businesses, affordable essential services and greater purchasing power for Nigerians.

The contrast between the latest poverty figures and the government’s growth outlook highlights a central challenge for Nigeria: ensuring that economic recovery produces tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.

While higher growth, stronger foreign reserves and increased export earnings can support economic stability, reducing multidimensional poverty will also require sustained improvements in public services, education, healthcare, infrastructure and household living conditions.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia