Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has attributed Nigeria's soaring poverty rate to the reform policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu, saying the worsening economic conditions stem from poorly conceived and harshly executed government programmes. Atiku made this assertion while commenting on recent data showing that poverty levels have climbed to 63 percent across the country, affecting millions of Nigerians.
The former presidential candidate argued that the current administration's economic policies have not been carefully thought through before their implementation. He contended that the government introduced these measures without adequate consideration for their immediate impact on ordinary Nigerians. Atiku stated that the poverty crisis represents a direct consequence of policy decisions taken at the federal level rather than a result of external economic forces alone.
The 63 percent poverty figure reflects a significant portion of Nigeria's population struggling to meet basic needs including food, shelter, and healthcare. This metric places Nigeria among countries with the highest poverty rates globally, a position Atiku blamed squarely on the current administration's approach to economic management. He suggested that the government pursued reforms without establishing sufficient safety nets or transition programmes to protect vulnerable citizens from sudden economic shocks.
Atiku's criticism comes as Nigeria grapples with multiple economic challenges including inflation, currency depreciation, and reduced purchasing power. The former vice president has consistently opposed what he describes as the government's lack of empathy in executing economic policies. He called for a recalibration of the administration's approach to ensure that reforms benefit the broader population rather than impose hardship on the poorest segments of society.
The debate over economic policy direction in Nigeria continues to intensify as citizens experience increased cost of living and reduced access to essential services. Economists and policy analysts have offered varying perspectives on whether the government's reforms will yield positive outcomes in the medium to long term.
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