Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, continues to grapple with one of the most complex socio-economic challenges of the 21st century: multidimensional poverty. While poverty has long been a defining development concern, recent data paints an even more sobering picture of the scale, depth, and regional disparities of deprivation across the country.
According to the latest figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2022 report, Nigeria is home to an estimated 132.92 million multidimensionally poor people. This staggering number underscores not just income poverty, but deprivation across critical indicators such as education, health, living standards, employment, and access to essential services.
This comprehensive breakdown explores the true extent of multidimensional poverty in Nigeria, region by region, while highlighting the alarming impact on children and rural communities.
Understanding Multidimensional Poverty in Nigeria
Multidimensional poverty goes beyond the traditional measurement of income. It evaluates deprivations across several key dimensions that affect quality of life, including:
Access to healthcare
Education attainment
Sanitation and clean water
Electricity and housing conditions
Food security
Employment and financial security
Nigeria’s adoption of the Multidimensional Poverty Index reflects a global shift toward broader poverty measurement frameworks, in line with development benchmarks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The MPI 2022 report reveals that 63% of Nigerians are multidimensionally poor, meaning nearly two out of every three citizens experience overlapping deprivations that limit their economic and social mobility.
Total Number of Multidimensionally Poor People in Nigeria
Nigeria currently has 132.92 million multidimensionally poor persons, making it one of the countries with the largest number of people living in poverty globally.
The data reveals a sharp rural-urban divide:
72% of rural Nigerians are multidimensionally poor
42% of urban Nigerians are multidimensionally poor
This disparity demonstrates that poverty in Nigeria is heavily concentrated in rural communities, where access to infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities remains severely limited.
Regional Breakdown of Multidimensional Poverty in Nigeria
To fully understand the depth of Nigeria’s poverty crisis, it is critical to examine how multidimensional poverty is distributed across the six geopolitical zones.
1. North Central: 20.19 Million Multidimensionally Poor
The North Central region accounts for 20.19 million people living in multidimensional poverty. While some states in this zone benefit from agricultural and administrative activity, large segments of the population remain deprived of basic services.
Infrastructure gaps, rural underdevelopment, and uneven access to education and healthcare contribute significantly to the region’s poverty burden.
2. North East: 20.47 Million Multidimensionally Poor
The North East has 20.47 million multidimensionally poor persons. This region continues to face long-term economic and social disruptions, which have exacerbated deprivation levels.
Limited access to healthcare facilities, schools, safe housing, and stable employment opportunities have compounded poverty challenges across the zone.
3. North West: 45.49 Million Multidimensionally Poor
The North West carries the heaviest poverty burden in Nigeria, with 45.49 million multidimensionally poor people.
This makes it the region with the highest number of poor people in the country. The sheer scale of deprivation in this zone significantly influences Nigeria’s overall poverty statistics.
High population density combined with limited economic diversification, infrastructure deficits, and low educational attainment levels contributes to this overwhelming figure.
4. South East: 10.85 Million Multidimensionally Poor
The South East records 10.85 million people facing multidimensional poverty.
While the region has historically demonstrated strong entrepreneurial activity, poverty remains prevalent in rural communities where infrastructure and social services are insufficient.
Urban migration has not fully resolved deprivation, as informal employment and housing challenges persist.
5. South-South: 19.66 Million Multidimensionally Poor
The South-South region has 19.66 million multidimensionally poor people.
Despite being home to significant natural resources, including oil-producing areas, poverty remains widespread. Many communities lack adequate infrastructure, clean water, electricity, and quality education.
The data highlights the paradox of resource-rich regions experiencing substantial levels of human deprivation.
6. South West: 16.27 Million Multidimensionally Poor
The South West region accounts for 16.27 million people living in multidimensional poverty.
Although the zone includes Nigeria’s major commercial hubs, poverty remains a serious issue, particularly in peri-urban and rural areas. High population growth, urban congestion, and economic inequality contribute to the persistence of deprivation.
Which Region Has the Highest Number of Multidimensionally Poor People?
Among all six geopolitical zones, the North West stands out as the region with the highest number of multidimensionally poor people, totaling 45.49 million.
This means that more than one-third of Nigeria’s multidimensionally poor population resides in the North West alone. Addressing poverty in this region will significantly influence Nigeria’s national poverty outcomes.
The Alarming Reality: Child Poverty in Nigeria
Perhaps the most disturbing finding in the NBS report is the extent of poverty among children.
Nigeria has 67.28 million children classified as multidimensionally poor. Children represent:
47% of Nigeria’s total population
51% of all multidimensionally poor people
This means that more than half of Nigeria’s poor are children.
The implications are profound. Childhood poverty affects:
Educational attainment
Nutritional health
Cognitive development
Long-term earning potential
Intergenerational mobility
Without targeted policy interventions focused on education, healthcare access, nutrition programs, and child protection systems, the cycle of poverty will persist across generations.
Why Multidimensional Poverty in Nigeria Requires Urgent Attention
The scale of multidimensional poverty in Nigeria is not merely a statistic—it represents real people deprived of opportunities, dignity, and basic human necessities.
Key contributing factors include:
Rapid population growth
Rural underdevelopment
Infrastructure deficits
Educational inequality
Limited job creation
Inadequate social protection systems
The rural concentration of poverty indicates the urgent need for agricultural modernization, rural infrastructure investment, and expanded access to quality healthcare and schools.
At the same time, urban poverty demands attention through job creation, housing policies, and social safety nets.
Source of the Data
All figures cited in this report are drawn from the official Multidimensional Poverty Index 2022 report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The MPI framework used in the report aligns with internationally recognized poverty measurement methodologies and provides one of the most comprehensive snapshots of deprivation across Nigeria’s regions.
The Path Forward: Breaking the Cycle of Multidimensional Poverty
Nigeria’s poverty challenge is multidimensional, and its solutions must be equally comprehensive.
Strategic interventions should include:
1. Expanding access to quality education
2. Strengthening healthcare systems
3. Investing in rural infrastructure
4. Supporting small and medium enterprises
5. Expanding social protection programs
6. Prioritizing child-focused poverty reduction strategies
Without bold and sustained reforms, Nigeria risks deepening inequality and losing the demographic dividend of its youthful population.
Final Thoughts
With 132.92 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, the crisis is not abstract—it is structural, widespread, and deeply entrenched.
The North West bears the heaviest burden, children represent the largest vulnerable group, and rural communities remain disproportionately affected.
The data is clear. The challenge is immense. The responsibility to act is urgent.
Nigeria’s future economic stability, social cohesion, and development trajectory depend on how effectively it addresses this multidimensional poverty crisis today.
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