The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to acknowledge the latest World Bank report highlighting a sharp rise in poverty across Nigeria.
The party described it as undeniable evidence that the Tinubu administration’s economic policies have deepened citizens’ suffering.
In a statement on Thursday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the World Bank’s October 2025 report, which shows that 139 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line, up from 81 million in 2019, reveals the government’s economic failure and misplaced priorities.
“The World Bank’s report tells a painful truth — under the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, more Nigerians have slipped into poverty than ever before.
“In 2019, four out of every ten Nigerians were poor; today, at least six out of ten live in poverty,” ADC said.
The party criticised President Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, accusing him of using “carefully crafted propaganda” to paint a false picture of progress.
“Behind those polished numbers lies the harsh reality of growing human suffering, families going hungry, children dropping out of school, and households selling their belongings just to afford food and medicine,” it added.
According to the ADC, about 30 million more Nigerians have fallen into extreme poverty under the APC-led government, unable to afford sufficient food even if they spend all their earnings on it.
“The government may boast of record revenues and stability, but the truth is that Nigerians are getting poorer every day.
“Food prices have skyrocketed, with a bag of rice now five times costlier than four years ago, while social safety nets have nearly disappeared.”
It further noted that Nigeria’s poverty line is set below global standards, accusing the government of using misleading data to downplay the scale of hardship.
“The World Bank’s findings clearly show that life has become harder under this administration. Rather than deny this reality, the government should face the truth and take urgent action.
“What Nigeria needs now is not cosmetic reform but genuine leadership that puts people first. Inclusive growth must go beyond slogans.
“The government must stop mistaking revenue collection for progress and prioritise food security, job creation, and social protection for millions pushed into poverty by its policies,” the party concluded.
