A Nation Divided by Hunger: Nigeria’s Stark Poverty Divide in 2023

 

The story of Nigeria in 2023 is not simply one of inflation, insecurity, or elections. It is, more urgently, a tale of two realities—one where a significant portion of the population faces the crushing grip of severe poverty, and another where such destitution is almost statistically invisible. Recent data from the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (GMPI), collated by OPHI and shared by Statisense, paints a startling picture of inequality within the country.

According to the figures, 

39.6% of households in the North West live in severe poverty—the highest rate in the country.
The North East follows closely with 34.4%, while the
North Central zone stands at 11.2%. 

In stark contrast, the South East reports a mere 1.53%, with the South South at 3.28%, and the South West recording 3.81%.

These numbers tell a story of a deeply fractured federation where poverty is not evenly spread but starkly concentrated in specific regions. It raises serious questions about the structural inequalities, historical neglect, and policy failures that continue to define Nigeria's socioeconomic landscape.

The North’s Unyielding Struggle

Northern Nigeria has long been at the heart of the country’s poverty discourse. Conflict, insurgency, and underinvestment have combined over decades to create conditions where opportunities are scarce and survival is daily labor. The North West and North East, which together host millions of Nigerians, continue to face the brunt of security challenges—ranging from Boko Haram insurgency to rampant banditry and kidnappings—which have disrupted education, agriculture, and basic infrastructure.

But beyond the violence, the underlying issue is systemic underdevelopment. Access to quality healthcare, education, and social safety nets remain critically low. The cycle of poverty deepens as children are withdrawn from schools, particularly girls, and families turn to subsistence strategies to survive, often at the cost of long-term development.

The Southern Contrast

In contrast, the southern zones—particularly the South East and South South—present a completely different narrative. With severe poverty rates as low as 1.53% and 3.28% respectively, these regions demonstrate what is possible with relative peace, better education indices, and stronger local economies.

The South West, home to Lagos—Nigeria’s commercial nerve center—also posts a relatively low rate of 3.81%. Though the region faces its own set of challenges, including rising urban poverty and housing shortages, the contrast with the North remains unmistakable.

An Urgent Call for Balanced Development

What these numbers highlight is more than regional disparity; they underscore a fundamental governance and policy gap. Poverty in Nigeria is not just a matter of national GDP or international aid—it is intricately tied to how resources are allocated, how security is managed, and how inclusive economic policies are enforced.

Experts argue that unless there is deliberate investment in education, healthcare, and rural infrastructure—especially in the northern regions—the divide will only widen. Additionally, tackling insecurity head-on remains a prerequisite for any meaningful development in these areas.

National development cannot afford to be regionalized. If one half of the country is left behind, the ripple effects—mass migration, urban overcrowding, political instability—will eventually engulf the rest.

Moving Beyond the Numbers

These figures, while sobering, are more than statistics. They represent real families, real children, and real futures being shaped—or stunted—by their geography. For policymakers, civil society, and Nigerians at large, this should be a wake-up call.

Addressing severe poverty in Nigeria requires more than charity or temporary relief. It demands systemic change—reimagining a country where no region is permanently stuck in the shadows of poverty while others surge ahead.

As Nigeria navigates its complex path forward in a post-pandemic, post-oil era, these disparities cannot be ignored. If unity is to be more than a motto, development must be truly national.