Nigeria, Feb. 5 -- Over the past few weeks, I have been reflecting on Nigeria's projected economic growth of over 3 per cent in 2025. I must assume I am not alone in this reflection. The projection has attracted increasing scrutiny, particularly because it has not translated into measurable improvements in living standards for most citizens. Despite reported economic growth, poverty in Nigeria has worsened consistently over the past four years. World Bank estimates suggest that the share of Nigerians living below the poverty line rose from about 56 per cent in 2024 to nearly 62 per cent in 2025, the highest level in recent history, underscoring the growing disconnect between headline growth figures and lived economic realities.

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