Poverty worsens in Nigeria as austerity measures bite — Global Performance Index Report

The June 2025 edition of the Global Performance Index (GPI) Bulletin has revealed an alarming deterioration in Nigeria’s hunger and poverty situation, attributing much of the crisis to recent government austerity measures that have severely impacted vulnerable groups across the country.

According to March Oyinki, Group Director of Advocates for Positive Development (APD), Nigeria’s hunger index has continued to slide due to a combination of harsh economic reforms, inflation, insecurity, and systemic infrastructure challenges.

The 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI) ranked Nigeria 110th out of 127 countries, assigning a “serious” hunger level score of 28.8. The index showed that 18 percent of the population is undernourished, while 10.7 percent of children die before their fifth birthday.

Despite being Africa’s most populous country with over 223.8 million people, millions of Nigerians now struggle with daily hunger, and malnutrition is taking a deadly toll on children, the elderly, and chronically ill citizens.

The report linked the deepening crisis to fiscal policies rolled out after the new administration took office on May 29, 2023. Oyinki pointed out that economic reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the liberalisation of the Naira have pushed many families into food insecurity.

“Since May 2023, families who once lived comfortably now find it difficult to afford even one square meal a day,” Oyinki stated.

“Inflation has made basic food a luxury, with some households spending between ₦600,000 and ₦760,000 monthly to provide just two modest meals daily.”

He noted that insecurity in the north and central regions, Nigeria’s key agricultural zones, has also severely disrupted farming activities and food production. Compounding the problem is the federal government’s ban on the importation of staple items such as rice, beans, wheat, and poultry, which has restricted food availability during a time of increased need.

While long-term initiatives such as the declaration of a state of emergency on food production and proposals to expand mechanised farming have been welcomed, experts say these measures will take time to yield results and do little to address the immediate food emergency.

Oyinki and the APD have called on the federal government to consider temporary relief measures, including lifting import bans on essential food products to ease current shortages and reduce hunger in the short term.

In parallel, the government has launched large-scale infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and the Badagry Sea Port, aimed at boosting economic activity and improving logistics. However, critics argue that while such projects are important for long-term development, they must be complemented by urgent interventions to meet the immediate survival needs of millions of Nigerians.

As the country grapples with one of its worst hunger crises in recent memory, advocacy groups and policy analysts are pressing for a balanced approach, one that promotes long-term stability while prioritising short-term food relief for those at risk of starvation.