http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17015873

Poverty has risen in Nigeria, with almost 100 million people living on less than a $1 (£0.63) a day, despite economic growth, statistics show.

The National Bureau of Statistics said 60.9% of Nigerians in 2010 were living in "absolute poverty" - this figure had risen from 54.7% in 2004.

The bureau predicted this rising trend was likely to continue.

Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer but the sector has been tainted by accusations of corruption.

According to the report, absolute poverty is measured by the number of people who can afford only the bare essentials of shelter, food and clothing.

North-south divide
The NBS admitted there was a paradox at the heart of Nigeria, as the economy was going from strength to strength, mainly because of oil production, yet Nigerians were getting poorer.

"Despite the fact that the Nigerian economy is growing, the proportion of Nigerians living in poverty is increasing every year, although it declined between 1985 and 1992, and between 1996 and 2004," it said in a statement.


Oil accounts for some 80% of Nigeria's state revenues but it has hardly any capacity to refine crude oil into fuel, which has to be imported.

Last month, there was a nationwide strike when the government tried to remove the subsidy on fuel, angering many Nigerians who see it as the only benefit they received from the country's vast oil wealth.

The NBS said that relative poverty was most apparent in the north of the country, with Sokoto state's poverty rate the highest at 86.4%.

In the north-west and north-east of the country poverty rates were recorded at 77.7% and 76.3% respectively, compared to the south-west at 59.1%.

BBC Africa analyst Richard Hamilton says it is perhaps no surprise that extremist groups, such as Boko Haram, continue to have an appeal in northern parts of the country, where poverty and underdevelopment are at their most severe.

The report also revealed that Nigerians consider themselves to be getting poorer.

In 2010, 93.9% of respondents felt themselves to be poor compared to 75.5% six years earlier.

Nigeria's population in poverty

1980: 17.1 million
1985: 34.7 million
1992: 39.2 million
1996: 67.1 million
2004: 68.7 million
2010: 112.47 million
Source: Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics

the report also included this ehnic maps of nigeria, which will be nice if we can objectively criticize its accuracy or otherwise

. .at that rate within 20years 99% of Nigerians will be living in poverty.

Jobs are not being created at the same rate as population growth.

So called GDP does't necessary equate to jobs - its related to oil sales/exports.

A don die. This people don finish this country. No wonder there is a serious increment in the number of street beggars.

Why not 99%. with corrupt leaders infiltrating our economy with serious corruption

In 2010, 93.9% of respondents felt themselves to be poor compared to 75.5% six years earlier.

Nigeria's population in poverty

1980: 17.1 million
1985: 34.7 million
1992: 39.2 million
1996: 67.1 million
2004: 68.7 million
2010: 112.47 million

Source: Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics

Res ipsa loquitur

How come the number of people living below $1 a day almost doubled between 2004 and 2010? This has shown that this PDP government has nothing to offer this country. The number of Nigerians going to bed on empty stomach everyday is more that the total population of the UK and France combined, yet we want to achieve vision 20/2020. If nothing is done and done fast, by 2020 only about 0.01% of the population would live above the poverty line and guess who that 0.01% would be? Our politicians of course!

chrishenzo:

Nigerians and the way they always believe negative things said about them, especially when it comes from a foreign media.

First how did they come to the conclusion and the percentage. Where did they get their data? How many times have any media approached you and asked you how much you are earning? etc.This is a general propaganda.

Please do not believe anything you read  on the news. Do the reasoning first.

Bros, try to dey read things well before you respond. That data was compiled and released by the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics.

Nice

. ,  . wait for the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy to kick in.

By the time GEJ leaves office (2015) at least 90% of Nigerians will be classed as poor, wretched and hungry.

This really sad but true!! But the relative poverty in the North compared to the South is the handiwork of the Northern Elites. Let the Northern youths think and reason for themselves rather than being used by the elites to satisfy their selfish goals and turning to use the man-made poverty to justify their devilish attacks on innocent lives.

If we don't redefine our values and shake off the 'get rich quick' mentally we are going down the drain quicker than expected.
I weep for my country!!

Kilode?!:

Bros, try to dey read things well before you respond. That data was compiled and released by the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics.

Believe it or not, the main reason you believe the data is because it has to do with negativeness. If they have said something positive, many folks will say they are not telling us the truth.

I believe their is poverty but I question the data.

And the senates are busy awarding themselves with bonuses and new jeeps,if they are not careful revolution will hit them very hard,

chrishenzo:

Nigerians and the way they always believe negative things said about them, especially when it comes from a foreign media.

First how did they come to the conclusion and the percentage. Where did they get their data? How many times have any media approached you and asked you how much you are earning? etc.This is a general propaganda.

Please do not believe anything you read  on the news. Do the reasoning first.

I guess you dont travel much, or go out more often. Even though our people are highly complacent, abit childish, and many cowardly, it doesnt take a rocket scientist to tell us what we can see at Oshodi, or Ijebu Ode, or Aba.

Our country is poor. You think having a few hotels and Shoprites makes us a "Modern" Nation? Or that we can have German and Chinese companies building us Stadium and national offices in Abuja as evidence that we are on the level of Canada who has the same population as the Center of Excellence Lagos?

Nonsense.

Good nd very good even by 2020 gej will go back barefooted again,i can't shout!

chrishenzo:

Believe it or not, the main reason you believe the data is because it has to do with negativeness. If they have said something positive, many folks will say they are not telling us the truth.

I believe their is poverty but I question the data.

Mr Chris, can you give me one, just one, example of something positive that we can hold on to? What significant progress have we made as a nation that can be attributed to visionary leadership and proper planning? Can you mention just one?

Let's stop deceiving ourselves. This country, as is currently constituted, has failed and is failing still. Until we move away from oil, force each state to develop their own resources and diversify our economy to job-creating sectors, poverty rate will rise, even as the economy is "growing".

Our own generation is at stake here. It's time to say NO to their way of doing things in this country.

The future is bleak if we dont put an end to this.

saska1122:

This really sad but true!! But the relative poverty in the North compared to the South is the handiwork of the Northern Elites. Let the Northern youths think and reason for themselves rather than being used by the elites to satisfy their selfish goals and turning to use the man-made poverty to justify their devilish attacks on innocent lives.

If we don't redefine our values and shake off the 'get rich quick' mentally we are going down the drain quicker than expected.
I weep for my country!!

The reason why the bolded is needed, in my opinion, has more to do with cultural factors. Right from the pre-colonial period, the inhabitants of that part of the country had always had a conservative approach to life. People were taught that the word of their elders is law, and that they are not to be questioned. This is why Lugard's indirect rule policy was so successful. That will not change at once, they will need to evolve out of that mentality.

chrishenzo:

Nigerians and the way they always believe negative things said about them, especially when it comes from a foreign media.

First how did they come to the conclusion and the percentage. Where did they get their data? How many times have any media approached you and asked you how much you are earning? etc.This is a general propaganda.

Please do not believe anything you read  on the news. Do the reasoning first.

YOU ARE REALLY FOLL!SH!! Nonsense.

I'm really saddened by the way Nigerians are being governed. The nation is going down which means people are going down really fast as it is shown here. Nigerians are suffering while our leaders continuing ruling like they are aliens themselves. Something will hit them very soon and it'll hit them very hard.

The recent hike in fuel price will be a major yardstick to agree with this info. The unemployment level is very alarming and something urgent must be done to save the future from violence citizens.

I thought they said it was 70%

chrishenzo:

Nigerians and the way they always believe negative things said about them, especially when it comes from a foreign media.

First how did they come to the conclusion and the percentage. Where did they get their data? How many times have any media approached you and asked you how much you are earning? etc.This is a general propaganda.

Please do not believe anything you read  on the news. Do the reasoning first.

A confirmation of the topic.

maasoap:

I'm really saddened by the way Nigerians are being governed. The nation is going down which means people are going down really fast as it is shown here. Nigerians are suffering while our leaders continuing ruling like they are aliens themselves. Something will hit them very soon and it'll hit them very hard.

Truth is we are not ready for a change. Most of us indirectly support the government because of our insincerity and unnecessary ethnic and religious sentiments. The protest is another testimony where the South South chose not to join the strikle because Jonathan is from their region amongst others. Until we are united, our leaders will keep robbing us of our rights.

oo lord that is sad ooo

Guys, no need for name calling; some people are truly oblivious to certain things.

@chrisenzo
Are you saying that every single person in Nigeria has to be interviewed before we can get meaningful data? The numbers they give are not absolutes but a representative figure of what the absolute number is. As long as they have an adequate sample size and the sample chosen is truly random, you can calculate the actual size in question.

The poverty rate will increase due to two main factors:
1. Education
2. Electricity

If these two issues are not addressed as soon as possible, we will continue to go under.

Baboon dey chop monkey dey suffering and smiling I feel sorry for my naija ppl

J12:

The poverty rate will increase due to two main factors:
1. Education
2. Electricity

If these two issues are not addressed as soon as possible, we will continue to go under.

1. Education: yep they are studying tooo much but ain't doing any good for them.   sorry but that's the truth. they have all the knowledge for all they wrong reasons .

2. Electricity : they are spending too much time on NL doing useless things instead of finding a job or a visa to a better life so they can help does at home. wat a disappointment i tell u.

So, the South West, has the lowest poverty rates in Nigeria, at 59%, while the North West, has the Highest, at 877%

Nigerians deserve this, even more!!!

Next time when National issues are being discussed, you'll would not tribalise it.