Nigeria may have world’s largest poor population, says EU envoy

The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gautier Mignot, has said Nigeria probably has the highest number of people living below the poverty threshold globally.

Mignot spoke in Abuja at the 2026 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, calling for sustained efforts by the Federal Government, development partners and other stakeholders to address the country’s poverty crisis.

“Today, Nigeria is probably the country in the world with the highest number of people living under the poverty threshold,” he said, citing figures showing that 133 million Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty in 2022. He added that estimates suggested the situation had worsened since then.

The envoy disclosed that the EU had committed nearly €45 million in humanitarian assistance to Nigeria in 2026, particularly to support communities affected by conflict and other crises. He said the assistance was being provided through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.

Mignot said the EU was working with the Nigerian government, humanitarian organisations and development partners to link emergency assistance with long-term solutions. He acknowledged government initiatives, including the National Social Safety Net Programme and the Renewed Hope Social Protection Programme, aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians.

He also highlighted the EU’s Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria programme, which works with partners such as UNICEF, GIZ, the International Labour Organisation, ActionAid and Oxfam. The programme covers Abia, Benue, Oyo, Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa and Borno states.

According to him, the initiative focuses on strengthening social protection policies, expanding social registers to identify vulnerable households and improving data systems for planning and resource allocation. He added that the EU had supported the review of Nigeria’s National Social Protection Policy and the development of state policies and a Social Protection Bill.

Speaking on the theme, “United for Peace and Human Rights, Safe Homes for All,” Mignot said sustainable poverty reduction required peace, security, dignity and respect for human rights. He called for stronger coordination between humanitarian assistance and long-term development programmes, saying, “Humanitarian needs cannot wait, and poverty either.”