Ask Nigeria Header Logo

Poverty: Life Challenging Issue in Nigeria

Photo of author

By Okunloye Abiodun

Nigeria is a country that has immense resources yet is still struggling.

The level of poverty in Nigeria is an issue that has to be addressed. It penetrates people’s lives and communities, keeping many people trapped in a never-ending cycle of impoverished conditions. Its dismal influence is felt by many, depriving millions of people and communities of hope for a brighter future. A dramatic case in point, Nigeria is a country that has immense resources yet is still struggling with its complications. Inspiring collective action and creating a society in which every Nigerian may prosper requires first understanding the real nature of the lack in Nigeria.

It’s more than just a lack of finances that makes people poor. It goes far beyond a simple lack of funds and extends across many different variables. While encompassing a wide range of gaps beyond the World Bank’s global poverty level of $1.90 per day, such as inadequate education, medical care, water, accommodation, and employment possibilities. Extreme lack in the country is reflected in the country’s congested neighbourhoods, crumbling infrastructure, high illiteracy rates, pervasive malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare. Realising the scope of the difficulties encountered by the poor requires an understanding of these factors.

133 million individuals fall into the multidimensional poverty line.

According to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) survey 2022, many people in Nigeria live in multidimensional poverty. 63%, or 133 million individuals, fall into this group. Its distribution shows that 65 percent, which is about 86 million people, live in the North and 35 percent, which is 47 million, in the South. The rate varies significantly from state to state, being 27% in Ondo and 91% in Sokoto, respectively. The report also shows that living circumstances in Nigeria are terrible. Due to their multifaceted poverty, more than half of the population uses unclean energy sources like dung, wood, or charcoal for cooking. In addition, they have serious problems with access to medical treatment, food, and shelter.

More so, it must be addressed in the same multifaceted manner as it could consume the nation. Its alleviation requires successful policy improvements. Also, it must be the government’s priority, and initiatives must target corruption, resource inequality, and lack of inclusive governance. Social safety nets, focused activities, and clear policies will help alleviate the country. The Household Uplifting Programme of the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) stated that it offers targeted cash transfers, training, mentoring and coaching, and livelihood assistance for poor and vulnerable residents. However, only some people within its authorities understand where it gets its operational database of those it rendered assistance.

Education is an effective means of ending the poverty cycle.

Furthermore, education is an effective means of ending its cycle. All Nigerians should have access to high-quality education, especially those in underserved areas. Offering programmes for skill development and vocational training that are in line with market expectations can improve employability and equip people to seize greater financial opportunities. Investments in education are wise. Governments may unleash the transformative power of education by investing enough resources, creating high-quality educational systems, and giving educational reform first priority. Economic growth, decreasing people suffering, social cohesion, increased health, and sustainable development are all benefits of this investment.

Additionally, improving infrastructure in marginalised communities is essential for reducing poverty. This entails enhancing the availability of clean water, electricity, and medical services, as well as road networks. Infrastructure improvements in both urban and rural areas will enable inclusive development by fostering economic growth, job creation, and improved living circumstances. Likewise, everyone emphasises Nigeria’s enormous population while ignoring its enormous landmass. Nigeria’s enormous agricultural potential can indeed be used to help communities escape their present conditions. The agricultural sector may be strengthened to increase productivity and provide rural inhabitants with stable livelihoods through greater access to credit, modern farming practices, and market connections.

Women’s empowerment will lessen the situation.

Lastly, the empowerment of women is a crucial factor in the fight against poverty. Barriers can be reduced, and a more fair society can be created through initiatives which encourage gender equality and increase women’s access to education, healthcare, financial services, and other economic possibilities. The fight against this problem relies heavily on the contributions of women. The strength of a nation can be bolstered by the strength of its women. The new government needs to realise how important it is to evaluate the condition of people with low incomes and consider the many factors that contribute to it.


Related Link

WB: Website

Snopes.com


The content on AskNigeria.com is given for general information only and does not constitute a professional opinion, and users should seek their own legal/professional advice. There is data available online that lists details, facts and further information not listed in this post, please complete your own investigation into these matters and reach your own conclusion. AskNigeria.com accepts no responsibility for losses from any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of content contained in this website and/or other websites which may be linked to this website.

Fact Checking Tool - Snopes.com

3 1 vote
Rate This Article
13 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
AN-Toni
AN-Toni
Editor
5 months ago

Poverty: Life Challenging Issue in Nigeria.Nigeria is a country that has immense resources yet is still struggling.Express your point of view.

SarahDiv
SarahDiv
Member
5 months ago

The true is Nigeria is blessed with abundant resource but the level of poverty in the country is too high. There are factors that are responsible for such. Some of the most influencing factors are the activities of politics and politician and the high level of corruption among civil servants and citizens of the country. The culture and tradition of corruption should be killed before we can talk about making education available to all, working on the economical growth of the country and other forms of investment.

Iyanu12345ogg
Iyanu12345ogg
Member
5 months ago

Poverty is a life challenging issue in Nigeria that adversely affect the life of its citizens. Until the government takes proactive measures to address the too cause of poverty, it will remind a formidable challenge that will continue to afflict the county.

Christiana
Christiana
Member
5 months ago

Mismanagement of our abundant resources in the country is what causes the economy to deteriorate and eventually leads to widespread poverty in the country.

Haykaylyon26
Haykaylyon26
Member
5 months ago

Nigeria is a country that has immense resources yet is still struggling we are not making use of our resources well and not managing in the right way corrupted government is part of why we are still struggle despise been blessed with many resources

DimOla
DimOla
Member
5 months ago

It is quite pathetic that with the abundance of resource Nigeria is still impoverished. The more some few group of people who are known as cabals still hold the nation to ransom the problems of this nation will remain the way it is while these people enrich themselves. Another major problem of this nation is corruption. It has become a tradition and way of life to take bribe for everything. It becomes difficult to control or curbed completely.

Taiwoo
Taiwoo
Member
5 months ago

In Nigeria, poverty is a difficult issue that negatively impacts the lives of its residents. Poverty will remain a significant issue for the country as long as the government does not take proactive steps to tackle the root of the problem.

Kazeem1
Kazeem1
Member
5 months ago

The economy gets worse as a result of poor management of the country’s enormous resources, which inevitably results in poverty, corruption contribute to poverty of the country where people at the top just enrich their own pocket leaving people to suffer

Tonerol10
Tonerol10
Member
5 months ago

Poverty: Life Challenging Issue in Nigeria. A country with many natural resources yet poverty rate is very high due to selfish and greedyness from the government. Surviving in Nigeria is something else. Many people especially children are suffering from disease and starvation. Government should change their ways

Abusi
Abusi
Member
5 months ago

Poverty is a serious problem we are going through in Nigeria. A lot of people are impoverished and government is not doing enough to being them out of it. We need to empower our people and make them self employed.

Adeolastan
Adeolastan
Member
5 months ago

Nigeria is a country that has all it takes to be a better country, but the level of poverty in this country is high because of the misappropriat of Nigeria treasure. We should all change our thinking faculty from bad to good.

DimOla
DimOla
Member
5 months ago

The reasons why Nigeria find itself in this level of poverty despite being rich in resources is all due to corruption, tribalism and religious sentiment.

Adeolastan
Adeolastan
Member
5 months ago

Nigeria is blessed with all good things that can sustain us, yet the poverty rate in Nigeria is high all because of the misappropriation of our resources. The government should find a way to curb the embezzlement of Nigeria resources.