[size=25pt]138.6m Nigerians live below poverty line - USAID[/size]
Oluwaseun Ayantokun, Abuja - 14.09.2009

UNITED States Agency for International Development (USAID) has released a damning report on the food insecurity situation and poverty level of Nigeria, stating that about 138.6 million Nigerians live on less than N302.00 ($2.00) per day.


According to Mr Tim Prewitt, Managing Director, USAID Markets, who spoke last week at the just concluded Africa Telecom Development Summit hosted by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) in Abuja, the figure represents 92.4 per cent of the country’s population.


He also said that Nigeria is eighth among the African countries with most rapidly developing middle class population without a corresponding food production level for sustenance.


Dwelling specifically on the production of rice, a staple food item in Nigeria, Mr. Prewitt said, “Nigeria consumes more than five million tonnes of rice annually and two million out of it are imported.”


He recommended that “Nigeria needs to increase its grain production significantly while ensuring that farmers have access to good storage and preservation facilities as a form of encourage for higher production level.”


http://www.tribune.com.ng/14092009/news/news7.html

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It is an absudity to assert that more than 92% cant afford 302naira.Of all the fallacious statement credited to Nigeria in recent times,this is the most ridiculous .From whence did they base their biased statstic from?Watch out ! Nigeria haters on the prowl.

The country where kings are thieves and the one-eyed man is king.

That is what happens when above exist.

That na LIE naa. ah ah!

Where are those poor people sef. Even our beggars and almajiri do better than that everyday. Now they are talking about 92%!

Where are they getting all these information from.

[size=26pt]LIES!![/size]

[size=13pt]ARE THESE NOT THE SAME PEOPLE WHO INTENTIONALLY OVERESTIMATED HIV/AIDS RATES ALL OVER AFRICA?[/size]

biggjoe:

That na LIE naa. ah ah!

Where are those poor people sef. Even our beggars and almajiri do better than that everyday. Now they are talking about 92%!

Where are they getting all these information from.

You are 100% that the beggars get at least  Naira 2114 PER beggar each week? You are saying the average Nigerian has at least Naira 2114 to eat week each week? That is approximately Naira 109,928 per person per year. Are you certain the poor people in our society make at least that amount each year? Last I checked, even police men don't earn that much.

whether fact or imagination. if we would support or negate this postulation. please support it with numbers. if you dont have access to the results of any research thats been done. either by you or someone else. abeg no come here dey place maibe, as in, its like, u know, if we, assuming they, lets assume etc etc inside your argument and expect me to agree with you o.

Kobojunkie:

You are 100% that the beggars get at least  Naira 2114 PER beggar each week? You are saying the average Nigerian has at least Naira 2114 to eat week each week? That is approximately Naira 109,928 per person per year.

First, if i have to agree with them, I will first have to agree that desitutes constitutes about 92% of Nigerians and then again agree that every one of this poor people dont get the amount you quoted in a week.

I found these two conditions VERY difficult to believe.

So, to you, every Person living on under $2 a day has to first appear as a destitute ( in rags and what nots) in order to get you to see that this is possibly the case? I don't get it.

what i am saying is that it is very hard to believe that 92% of Nigerians dont earn that much.

The most ridiculous statement of the century. That's freaking 9 in 10 people!!! That's like everybody! 

biggjoe:

what i am saying is that it is very hard to believe that 92% of Nigerians dont earn that much.

Uummm. . . .  I think this is people living on a per person basis . If you add it all up, you will find that it is close to what is obtained in the country. The average Nigerian family consists of about 5 people. So, we are saying that the average family has to make at least Naira 600,000 a year to live a decent life in that country. How many Nigerians make that much a year? Do consider cost of transportation, water, electricity, etc I can tell you that some teachers, policemen and even state employees do not earn half of that amount a year and many of them have mouths to feed.

To be honest, I believe the numbers could definitely be that high considering we sort of assume, in our society, that as long as a person walks out of some house each morning and dresses in clean cloths, the person is not destitute. If you are based outside of Nigeria, consider how much you spend a month and then how much you spend when you get back to Nigeria. Everymve you make in that country seems to cost money and can you imagine how those who live there full time are affected by this? People have on the most part learned to adapt, does not in anyway mean they are no longer poor.

Sammy107_d:

The most ridiculous statement of the century. That's freaking 9 in 10 people!!! That's like everybody!

Deceive yourself.

The average Nigerian lives like an animal. We are so used to it that we think it is normal.
We have been getting poorer and poorer sinse the 70's.

Deceive yourself.

Beaf:

Deceive yourself.

The average Nigerian lives like an animal. We are so used to it that we think it is normal.
We have been getting poorer and poorer sinse the 70's.

Deceive yourself.

Nigerians use your HEAD. this is a Lie. seriously.

babaearly:

Nigerians use your HEAD. this is a Lie. seriously.

Do you have proof?

The 92% is totally correct. Personally, i think it should be more than 92%. We are talking about nigeria here.

Very poor power supply, no regular water supply, no jobs, poor education, poor leaders, extremely poor medical standard, bad roads, and weak security for the citizens.
With all these deficiencies, what exactly do you guys expect? 20% below poverty line?
Please do not be surprised.

The only way to elevate the poverty level in Nigeria is by giving citizens access to simple things like water supply, good security, constant power supply etc.
I was told that Nigeria is losing almost 500m dollars a day because of poor power supply.

I think 92% is incorrect, let us try 98.5%.

Over 20m job opportunities can not be created because of poor power supply.
What do you expect and why are you so surprised?

Ëven if you put it at 20%, those "nigeria is well" brigade will still doubt it. Ostrich mumus.

Given that Nigerians have already been identified as the happiest group of people on planet Earth, concerns about such mundane matters as how much money they have to spend should be laid to rest and kept in proper perspective.

Don't worry, be happy.

poverty line based on actually money doesn't mean shit to Nigerians

many dont have a dime to spend but simply live off of what they grow.

these findings are based on what the WEST consider poverty amongst themselves.

To a Nigerian farmer who lives off of what he grows he is not in poverty

so yea its possible.

YES OOO!!! Na only for nigeria people dey live off their land. People in the west NEVER live off their lands and live well. jeeezzzz!!!

sjeezy8:

poverty line based on actually money doesn't mean shit to Nigerians

many dont have a dime to spend but simply live off of what they grow.

these findings are based on what the WEST consider poverty amongst themselves.

To a Nigerian farmer who lives off of what he grows he is not in poverty

so yea its possible.

You are 100% correct in that assessment, but you've pointed out something even more worrying than financial poverty. Like that poor farmer, the average Nigerian is also ignorant; a much worse predicament.

Beaf:

You are 100% correct in that assessment, but you've pointed out something even more worrying than financial poverty. Like that poor farmer, the average Nigerian is also ignorant; a much worse predicament.

In terms of what ?

Well, take away oil from Nigeria and you'll see that Nigeria is the worst country in the world.

yoruba:

Well, take away oil from Nigeria and you'll see that Nigeria is the worst country in the world.

LOL,I concur 92%

What are people saying below N302 is not poverty?

USAID my foot! So out of a population of 150,652,100 only 12,052,100 can afford 9,060 Naira.Even drivers ,teachers ,cleaners,farmers kole kole pushers,agberos et al earn more than 10,000Naira every month.USAID had better back the Fu*k up before they get smacked the Fukc up.

hollandis:

USAID my foot! So out of a population of 150,652,100  only 12,052,100 can afford 9,060 Naira.Even drivers ,teachers ,cleaners,farmers kole kole pushers,agberos et al earn more than 10,000Naira every month.USAID had better back the Fu*k up before they get smacked the Fukc up.

Basic! A supporting Laborer in building goes home with 1,000 Naira/day, Commercial Motor Cyclist in Places Kogi, Ekiti, Nassarawa, goes home with between 1,000-1,500/day, Agbero they feed, Drink beer, Womanize, and Cloth themselves from what they make/day. F**K USAID

Do the kids in the country also make a least $2 dollars a day each? Or do they share the portion  made by their parents? Instead of assuming it is all well with our folks, we need to take a closer look at these numbers and do our own investigation to ensure this is not close to our true reality which many will honestly admit that even our own government is unaware of.

Some people are in serious mental bondage hence it matters to them what USAid or CNN think. Common sense should tell most people that these figures have gone beyond error or mistake.
usAIDS are planning to infect our market with free rice, wheat and other agricultural surplus and waste products.

Cassava and Plantain please.