The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has questioned why Nigeria did not declare the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty a public holiday, saying the occasion should have been used for national reflection on rising poverty.
Obi made the remarks in a post marking the international day, arguing that millions of Nigerians are struggling to afford food and healthcare.
He cited figures in his post showing that Nigeria’s poverty rate rose from 40.1 per cent in 2019 to 56.2 per cent in 2023, with the rate projected to reach 63 per cent in 2026.
“What meaning does economic growth have when citizens are getting poorer, hungrier, and more insecure?” Obi asked.
He called for better management of public resources and increased investment in education, healthcare, agriculture and small businesses to address the situation.
Obi added that poverty should not define Nigeria’s future, insisting that a country where citizens can meet their basic needs and live with dignity is possible.