Peter Obi Claims Over 140 Million Nigerians in Poverty

On October 1, 2026, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the 2027 general elections, asserted that more than 140 million Nigerians are living in poverty and severe hardship. He cited statistics indicating over 18 million out-of-school children and projected that more than 40 million Nigerians would face extreme hunger by the end of 2026.

Obi also mentioned that youth unemployment and underemployment affect over 35 million people, and that Nigeria's drug abuse rate stands at 14 percent, with a life expectancy of 54 years. A review of evidence indicates that while some of Obi's claims are broadly supported, others are overstated.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported 133 million Nigerians in multidimensional poverty based on a survey conducted between November 2021 and February 2022. The World Bank's April 2026 report estimated around 140 million Nigerians below the national poverty line in 2025.

Additionally, UNICEF reported approximately 18.3 million children out of school, aligning with Obi's claims, while the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency supported his drug use statistic.