Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep concern over the worsening poverty situation in Nigeria, describing it as one of the nation’s greatest challenges.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday to mark the International Day for Poverty Eradication, Atiku lamented that Nigeria remains among the countries most affected by poverty despite its abundant human and natural resources.

He warned that poverty continues to breed multiple social problems, including disease, ignorance, insecurity, and hopelessness, calling for urgent, people-centred interventions to tackle the crisis.

“Poverty is the greatest enemy that humanity has ever known. Wherever it takes root, whether in the life of an individual or across a society, it breeds other troubles like disease, ignorance, insecurity, and hopelessness,” he said.

Atiku described the global commemoration as “a timely reminder and a call to action,” urging all tiers of government, civil society organisations, and stakeholders to collaborate in implementing sustainable solutions that empower citizens and lift communities out of poverty.

“At both government and community levels, we must take the fight against poverty to every home, every community, and every school so that the ordinary Nigerian becomes part of the solution,” he added.

Quoting a Nigerian proverb, Atiku said, “When the poor man is hungry, peace sleeps outside,” stressing that ending poverty is crucial to restoring freedom, dignity, and peace in the country.

His remarks came against the backdrop of a recent World Bank Nigeria Development Update, which revealed that 139 million Nigerians currently live in poverty amid rising food inflation and insecurity.

According to the Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, the cost of a basic food basket has increased fivefold between 2019 and 2024, with poor households, who spend up to 70% of their income on food, bearing the heaviest burden.

 “In 2025, we estimate that 139 million Nigerians live in poverty. The challenge is clear: how to translate the gains from the reforms into better living standards for all,” Verghis said at an event in Abuja.