The Federal Government has strongly contested a recent World Bank report claiming that approximately 139 million Nigerians are living in poverty, describing the figure as “exaggerated and inconsistent with local data.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the government insisted that the international financial institution’s methodology failed to reflect the current socio-economic realities of the country.

It further urged global partners to rely more on national statistics and collaborate with local agencies to avoid public misinformation.

“We do not recognize the claim that over 60 percent of Nigerians are poor. This figure is not only misleading, it lacks alignment with the data from our national monitoring systems,” a senior government official said during a media briefing in Abuja.

Contradictory Figures Spark Backlash

The World Bank report, which was released earlier this week, stated that 139 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line, a figure that represents more than half of the country’s estimated population of 223 million.

It attributed the spike to rising inflation, currency depreciation, and the lingering effects of subsidy removal and food insecurity.

However, government spokespersons dismissed the claim, citing recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which they argue presents a more nuanced and gradually improving poverty outlook.

“There is no doubt that poverty is a challenge in Nigeria, but projecting such a staggering figure without consultation with national agencies undermines efforts and progress being made in the economy,” the statement added.

Economic Realities vs. Data Discrepancies

The Tinubu-led administration maintained that while economic hardship persists due to global and domestic pressures, it has initiated policies aimed at lifting millions out of poverty through targeted interventions. These include:

* Conditional cash transfers

* Agricultural subsidies

* Youth empowerment programs

* Support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

Government economists argue that these initiatives are already yielding measurable results in several states and should be considered in any comprehensive poverty assessment.

Analysts say the gap between local and international poverty estimates has widened in recent years due to methodological differences in how poverty is defined and measured.

Call for Data Transparency and Collaboration

In response to the controversy, government officials called for greater collaboration between international institutions and local agencies, particularly in the areas of data collection and socio-economic research.

“Nigeria is not denying the existence of poverty. What we demand is accuracy, fairness, and respect for local expertise in evaluating the situation,” the Information Ministry noted.

The government’s reaction has sparked fresh debate among economists, civil society actors, and policy experts who warn that dismissing international reports outright may hurt Nigeria’s credibility in the global development space.

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Some have advised the government to engage with the World Bank to review the data, ensure transparency, and co-develop better metrics that reflect local realities while maintaining global standards.

International Development Partners React

Although the World Bank has yet to issue a formal response, sources within the development community say the organization stands by its methodology, which is based on household surveys, per capita income, and consumption patterns across multiple demographic groups.

A senior World Bank official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that the institution remains open to working with Nigerian agencies to refine the data and improve the delivery of poverty-alleviation strategies.

As Nigeria continues to battle inflation, unemployment, and sluggish growth, questions around how poverty is measured — and how those figures shape public policy — remain front and center in national discourse.