The Presidency has faulted the World Bank’s latest economic report, which estimated that about 139 million Nigerians are living in poverty, describing the figure as exaggerated and disconnected from the country’s prevailing realities.

The new figure by the organisation represents an increase from 129 million in April 2025.

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, in a statement posted on his official X handle on Wednesday, said the World Bank’s poverty estimate must be “properly contextualised” within the framework of global poverty measurement models.

“While Nigeria values its partnership with the World Bank and appreciates its contributions to policy analysis, the figure quoted must be properly contextualised. It is unrealistic,” Dare said.

According to the Presidency, the global lender’s estimate was based on the $2.15 per person per day international poverty line, set in 2017 using Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). It said the figure should not be mistaken for an actual headcount of poor Nigerians.

The statement explained that, when converted to nominal terms, the $2.15 benchmark equals about N100,000 per month at the current exchange rate, which is significantly higher than Nigeria’s new minimum wage of N70,000. It added that the PPP methodology relies on historical consumption data—Nigeria’s last major household survey was conducted in 2018/2019—and often fails to account for the large informal and subsistence sectors that sustain millions of Nigerian families.

“There must be caution against interpreting the World Bank’s numbers as a literal, real-time headcount,” the Presidency said. “The figure is an analytical construct, not a direct reflection of local income realities.”

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The Presidency, therefore, described the World Bank’s estimate as a modelled global projection rather than an empirical reflection of living conditions in 2025. Dare stressed that the administration’s focus was on changing the trajectory, not debating static figures, adding that Nigeria’s economy was now on a recovery and reform path aimed at achieving inclusive growth and social protection.

He noted that the administration has expanded a number of social welfare and economic initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda to cushion the impact of recent reforms while laying the foundation for long-term prosperity. These, he said, include the Conditional Cash Transfer programme, which now covers 15 million households nationwide with digital verification through the National Social Register; the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme targeting all 8,809 electoral wards with micro-infrastructure and social projects; and the strengthening of National Social Investment Programmes such as N-Power, GEEP micro-loans, and school feeding schemes to support jobs, businesses, and education.

He further cited food security initiatives involving the distribution of subsidised grains and fertilisers, mechanisation partnerships, and the revival of strategic food reserves to stabilise staple prices. The Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, he said, is financing key road, housing, and power projects to lower living costs and create jobs, while the National Credit Guarantee Company is expanding affordable credit access for small businesses, women, and youth entrepreneurs through risk-sharing arrangements with commercial banks.

The Presidency maintained that the Tinubu administration was tackling Nigeria’s poverty challenge by addressing the structural distortions that have constrained productivity and inclusive growth for decades. It explained that ongoing reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange rate unification, and fiscal reallocation of funds toward productive sectors were “painful but necessary choices” aimed at fixing the root causes of poverty rather than its symptoms.

It noted that even the World Bank had acknowledged that these reforms are already restoring macroeconomic stability and growth momentum. The government emphasised that economic recovery alone is not enough unless it translates into real welfare gains for ordinary Nigerians. According to the statement, the administration’s medium-term priority is to ensure that macroeconomic stability leads to affordable food, quality jobs, and reliable infrastructure.

It added that major investments were underway in agriculture, manufacturing, and power, including new gas-to-power projects and skill development hubs expected to boost job creation and reduce living costs. “Nigerians should begin to feel visible improvements in food prices, income, and purchasing power as these programmes mature,” the statement said.

The Presidency also revealed that efforts were ongoing to consolidate the nation’s social protection architecture under a unified, data-driven framework to enhance transparency and ensure that no vulnerable community is left behind. It said the administration was expanding the National Social Register and scaling up existing social investment schemes to provide targeted support to poor households.

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The Presidency reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to building a resilient and inclusive economy that directly improves living standards. “Nigeria rejects exaggerated statistical interpretations detached from local realities. The government remains focused on empowering households, expanding opportunity, and laying the foundation for a fairer, more prosperous nation,” the statement said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the World Bank released its October 2025 Nigeria Development Update titled “From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home.” The Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, warned that about 139 million Nigerians were living in poverty despite recent economic stabilisation efforts.

Verghis commended the Tinubu administration for implementing bold reforms in the exchange rate and petroleum subsidy regimes, describing them as “foundational” steps that could transform Nigeria’s long-term economic trajectory.

“Over the last two years, Nigeria has commendably implemented bold reforms, notably around the exchange rate and the petrol subsidy. These are the foundations on which the country has the opportunity to build a programme that can transform its economic trajectory,” he said.

However, he cautioned that while the reforms were yielding macroeconomic improvements—such as rising revenues, stable reserves, and easing inflation—the benefits had yet to reach most Nigerian households. “Despite these stabilisation gains, many households are still struggling with eroded purchasing power. Poverty, which began to rise in 2019 due to policy missteps and external shocks such as COVID-19, has continued to increase even after the reforms. In 2025, we estimate that 139 million Nigerians live in poverty,” Verghis added.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has confirmed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has formally responded to 19 audit queries concerning discrepancies amounting to N210 trillion in its financial records between 2017 and 2023, as reported by Nairametrics.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Aliyu Wadada, disclosed this in Abuja during an interview with journalists, clarifying that while the NNPCL’s response has been received, the committee has not yet scrutinized the submitted documents in detail.

Wadada explained that the NNPCL had earlier requested an extension after being directed by the committee on July 29 to provide answers within three weeks.

The company’s management, led by Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, sought more time to compile comprehensive data and respond to the audit queries — a request that the Senate committee granted.

“While we were on recess, management of NNPCL wrote to the committee, requesting an extension of time to enable them to compile data and respond comprehensively to the questions we raised, and we granted that request.

“They have since responded, and we now have answers to all 19 questions we sent to them; however, the report is yet to be presented before the committee.

“That is why, as chairman, I have refrained from making any public statement on the matter until it is properly laid before members.

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“But let me assure you, as I promised earlier on behalf of the committee, we will do justice to the matter.”

He said that beyond the audited financial statements, there were other issues emerging around the NNPCL.
According to him, the first of such issues is production sharing contracts.

“Specifically, the production cost to Nigeria must be clearly defined, and the public deserves to know what portion goes to the NNPCL, what goes to the international oil companies (IOCs) and what accrues to the government under the production sharing arrangement.

“Furthermore, the committee has been informed that NNPCL Retail has declared a loss.

“This development is also of concern to us and to the public. We find it difficult to understand why NNPCL retail should record a loss, but we will seek clarification when the corporation appears before us.

“As far as the audited financial statements are concerned, which cover the period between 2017 and 2023. NNPC has submitted its responses to the 19 questions we asked. Nigerians and the media will be informed of the contents in due course.

“Out of those answers, the ones that make sense and those that do not will be evident to the public”, he stressed.

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In July, the Senate gave the NNPCL a 21-day deadline to respond to audit queries involving an unaccounted N210 trillion flagged in the Auditor-General’s reports covering 2017 to 2023.

The audit queries involve N103 trillion in liabilities and N107 trillion in assets yet to be reconciled, based on audited financial statements and not allegations from any government arm.

Earlier in July 2025, Ojulari failed to appear at a scheduled hearing, citing an OPEC meeting in Vienna. The committee rejected a presentation made by NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, insisting that only the GCEO could address the queries as reported by Nairametrics.

In June, the Senate said that it might be compelled to issue an arrest warrant if Ojulari failed to appear on the said date.

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, said the decision to resign from office was a personal and principled choice aimed at preserving the integrity of ongoing judicial proceedings, not an admission of guilt.

In a statement, Nnaji said he chose to “step aside” to respect the sanctity of due process and allow justice to take its course.

“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court. In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just,” he said.

The former Minister lamented what he described as an orchestrated, politically motivated campaign of falsehoods targeting his person and office over the past week.

He said the malicious attacks and media distortions had caused personal distress and begun to distract from the work of the Ministry and the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“As someone who has spent more than five decades building a reputation anchored on hard work, honour, and service to humanity, I cannot in good conscience allow these distractions to cast a shadow over the noble objectives of this administration,” he stated.

Nnaji expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the President’s vision of a “renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria.”

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“His vision for a renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear, and I pledge my unflinching support to his administration and its transformative goals,” he added.

Minister of innovation, science and technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet amid allegations of forgery levelled against him.

The president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the resignation in a statement issued on Monday, noting that the President had accepted it “in good faith.”

Nnaji’s travails started after the media outfit Premium Times published the outcome of its extensive investigation into Nnaji’s alleged certificate forgery case.

Another media outfit, Peoples Gazette, had eralier in 2024, published stories accusing him of allegedly forging his National Youth Service Corps’ certificate.

Nnaji however disputed the Premium Times story, claiming the allegation was the handiwork of political opponents in his state of Enugu.

The former minister, appointed in August 2023, tendered his resignation on Monday in a letter to the President, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation.

In his letter, the former minister said he had become the target of “relentless blackmail” by political opponents bent on tarnishing his reputation.

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“I thank Mr President for the trust reposed in me and for giving me the privilege to contribute my quota to national development,” Nnaji stated, adding that he was stepping aside to protect the administration’s integrity.

President Tinubu in accepting his resignation, commended Nnaji for his service to the nation and wished him well in his future endeavours.

Pressure was mounting on the minister following revelations that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), disowned the certificate allegedly submitted by Nnaji.

In a letter dated October 2, 2025, and signed by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the institution said records showed that Nnaji, with matriculation number 1981/30725, was admitted to study Microbiology/Biochemistry in 1981 but did not complete his studies.

“Following the above, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka did not and consequently, could not have issued the purported certificate in July 1985 to Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji,” he said.

The university said its position was consistent with an earlier letter sent to the Public Complaints Commission on May 13, 2025, in response to a similar inquiry.

However, in his filing before the court, Nnaji admitted that he had yet to collect his degree certificate from the university, attributing the delay to what he described as UNN officials’ “non-cooperative attitude.”

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The Presidency has said it would not act on the matter because the case was pending before the court.

Release my transcript, minister tells UNN

However, Chief Uche Nnaji had earlier denied the allegations of certificate forgery against him, calling on the university management to release his academic transcript.

In a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the minister said the allegation of forgery was politically motivated and well-crafted to tarnish his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.

Court Fixes Nov 10 For Hearing In Nnaji’s Alleged Certificate Case

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja had fixed November 10 to hear a suit filed by Minister Nnaji against UNN.

The minister had filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, following allegations of certificate forgery levelled against him.

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The other defendants in the case are the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, and its vice-chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, as the first to fourth respondents.

He also joined the Registrar, UNN; a former acting vice-chancellor, Prof. Oguenjiofor Ujam; and the university’s Senate as 5th and 7th respondents, respectively.

Nnaji, in an ex parte motion, had sought an order granting him leave to issue prerogative writs prohibiting the university and its officials from “tampering with” or continuing to “tamper with” his academic records.

Carry Your Cross, Enugu Government Had Told Nnaji

The Enugu State Government had, in its response to Nnaji earlier, denied sponsoring allegations of certificate forgery against Minister Nnaji, urging him to “carry his cross” and clear his name before Nigerians.

In a press statement issued in Enugu on Monday by the Director of Information in the Ministry of Information and Communication, Mr Chukwuemeka Nebo, the government said it had no hand in the controversies surrounding the Minister’s academic records.

How We Got Our Story On Minister’s Alleged Forgery Scandal – Premium Times

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Premium Times explained how it obtained the certificate scandal story of Chief Uche Nnaji, the immediate past minister of science, technology, and innovation.

The newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Mr Muskiliu Mojeed, said a whistleblower gave them the information they decided to work on.

According to him, they started working on the report in 2023.

He said, “The minister’s spokesman accused us of receiving N100 million for the story from the Enugu state government. He will prove that in court. We’ve done a lot of big stories, and no one has ever made such an accusation.

“Our practice is solidly built on integrity; not even Robert Ugly or Uche Nnaji can destroy it. He will prove in court how the money was given and received.

“A whistleblower raised an alarm and told us that there are discrepancies. The whistleblower told us to investigate the information. He said he is confident that we will discover something shocking if we do a diligent investigation. In fact, we first wrote to the NYSC. The investigation began in 2023.

“The editor assigned reporters to both Abuja and Enugu. The NYSC responded by saying that they have no record of him. The degree certificate and NYSC were of interest to us. When we got the NYSC certificate, we wrote to NYSC, and they said it was fake.

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“We wrote to the minister to comment on the certificate and to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, but we did not receive a response. We only wanted him to authenticate the certificate he submitted to the Senate.

“The school asked us to pay N10,000. We paid, but they did not respond. We found out that someone was blocking us from making headway.

“We later wrote to the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar separately; luckily, the VC responded. We also did a forensic analysis to ensure the certificate was fake. We spent much time at UNN, and there was no evidence that he had graduated. He got admission into the school, but there was no evidence that he graduated.

“He had a problem with a core course, but did not go back to rewrite the exam.

In three different letters, the school said they did not issue the certificate”.

Nnaji is the second minister to resign from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a controversial circumstance after former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.

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There was tension on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday as Obinna Aguocha, the Labour Party (LP) member representing Umuahia North/Umuahia South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency of Abia State, clashed with Speaker Abbas Tajudeen over his attempt to draw the attention of the House to the worsening health condition of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as reported by PREMIUM TIMES.

Temper rose shortly after plenary resumed from the annual recess, when Mr Aguocha raised a matter of urgent importance concerning the deteriorating health of his constituent, Mr Kanu, who has been in the custody of the State Security Services (SSS) since his re-arrest in June 2021.

The IPOB leader hails from Umuahia in Abia State.

Aguocha’s complaint
Presenting his motion, Mr Aguocha told the chamber that he had, since 26 August, written separate letters to the Speaker, President Bola Tinubu, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, urging immediate intervention in the IPOB leader’s failing health.

“On August 26, I wrote to Mr Speaker, to the Attorney General, and to the President, appealing for urgent medical attention for my constituent, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Up until today, I have not received any response. Reports from both his personal doctors and the Nigerian Medical Association confirm that he has organ deficiencies and dangerously low potassium levels. As we speak, he is on the verge of death,” the lawmaker said.

He reminded the House that a court had ordered independent medical examinations of the detained IPOB leader, noting that all three reports, including one commissioned by the court had confirmed his critical state.

“It is about fundamental human rights. The court has said that only a man who is alive can stand trial,” he said. “Kanu has not been convicted of any crime and should be granted the same opportunity as others who have travelled abroad for treatment.”

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Mr Aguocha urged the speaker to use his office to press the executive for compliance with court directives and to secure medical care for Mr Kanu, warning that “it is a matter of life and death and demands the attention of the House.”

Who is Nnamdi Kanu?
Nnamdi Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist movement agitating for the independence of the South-east region from Nigeria. He was first arrested in 2015 and later granted bail in 2017 but fled the country after his home in Abia State was raided by soldiers.

In June 2021, Mr Kanu was intercepted abroad and returned to Nigeria to face trial on multiple charges, including treasonable felony, incitement, and terrorism-related offences.

His prolonged detention has sparked repeated court battles and political appeals for his release, with critics accusing the government of disobeying court orders.

Speaker objects
Responding to Mr Aguocha’s presentation, Mr Tajudeen said the matter did not qualify as one of privilege, the procedural route under which the lawmaker had brought it to the floor.

“I do not see where your privilege is conflicted,” Mr Tajudeen said. “If it is a letter written to my office, you have direct access to me. Even a phone call or a visit could have addressed it. This is not the kind of thing to come by way of privilege.”

But Mr Aguocha pushed back, insisting that he personally submitted the letter to the speaker’s office on 27 August and received acknowledgment.

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The exchange quickly became tense as both men spoke over each other.

“It’s a matter of life and death,” Mr Aguocha repeated. “The rules of this House allow me to raise a matter of privilege when it concerns a citizen’s fundamental rights.”

The Speaker, visibly displeased, maintained his stance, “It is only when your privilege is compromised or denied that you can bring it up,” Mr Tajudeen said. “You have access to my office and can seek an explanation directly. Please, step it down.”

When Mr Aguocha insisted that Rule 6(2) of the House Rules empowered him to raise the issue, Mr Tajudeen ruled him out of order and Mr Aguocha’s microphone was immediately turned off.

“You are ruled out of order. Listen to the gavel,” the Speaker said.

Deputy Speaker intervenes
Sensing the rising tension, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu intervened, appealing for calm and assuring Mr Aguocha that the matter would be entertained formally during the week.

“I understand the pain of the member regarding the subject matter of Nnamdi Kanu,” Mr Kalu said. “Let us bring it properly before the House so that it can be given the hearing it deserves. Maybe tomorrow or any other sitting day, we will give full time to present it.”

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In response, Mr Tajudeen agreed to Mr Kalu’s suggestion, clarifying that his objection was merely procedural.

“No problem at all. Itt’s just the procedure that I was challenging, not the substance of the issue.

“I will be willing and ready. Anytime you are ready to bring up the matter, we will do the needful and give you all the time to present,” the speaker said.

As part of moves aimed at restoring Nigeria’s global reputation, the Senate on Tuesday advanced a bill that would strip Nigerians convicted of crimes abroad of their international passports for a minimum of 10 years, as reported by Channels Television.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Abubakar Bello (Niger North), seeks to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, introducing tough penalties designed to deter criminal conduct by Nigerians overseas and repair the tarnished image of the Nigerian passport.

Leading the debate on the floor, Senator Onawo Ogwoshi, speaking on behalf of the sponsor, described the bill as imperative and compelling, underscored that it would serve as a strong deterrent to those who damage Nigeria’s international reputation through criminal activity.

“Innocent and patriotic Nigerians suffer harassment in airports, visa denials and constant suspicion simply because of the actions of a few, the green passport, once a symbol of pride, is now widely disrespected. That is nothing less than a state of emergency,” he lamented.

According to the proposed legislation, any Nigerian convicted of a crime in a foreign country would have their passport withdrawn for a decade following the completion of their sentence. Lawmakers argue the measure will both punish wrongdoers and signal to the global community that Nigeria is committed to accountability.