Poverty, Insecurity Push Nigeria Toward Collapse

Abuja, Nigeria— Nigeria faces mounting crises of poverty and insecurity, with recent tragedies underscoring the scale of the challenge.

On August 1, 2025, an ambush in Zamfara State claimed 10 lives, while a revised National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report released on August 3 revealed that 55 per cent of Nigerians—over 113 million people—live below the poverty line.

In Katsina, Médecins Sans Frontières confirmed that 150 children died of malnutrition since July, raising the 2025 total to 802. At the same time, Boko Haram violence in Borno displaced another 15,000 people in July, bringing Nigeria’s internally displaced persons (IDPs) to over 3.2 million, according to UN estimates.

The Big Tent coalition, in a July 29 warning, said the nation risks collapse due to elite failure, worsening insecurity, and unchecked poverty. Public frustration continues to rise as social media users contrast government neglect with elite extravagance.

The crises are driven by structural failures. Economic mismanagement following the 2024 oil slump, combined with the lingering impact of COVID-19, has shrunk government revenue. Inflation surged to 36.2 per cent in July, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Corruption diverts funds, while insecurity disrupts farming, fueling hunger and displacement.

Although government measures—including military deployments and social investment programmes—are ongoing, results remain limited. Military operations in Zamfara brought some gains, but the August 1 attack showed persistent weaknesses. NEMA’s relief efforts face allegations of supply diversion, sparking protests in Borno on August 4.

Economic schemes such as the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) suffer from inefficiency, with 20 per cent of 2025 funds unaccounted for, echoing past ghost beneficiary scandals. Agricultural subsidies rarely reach farmers, worsening food insecurity. The recent declaration of a malnutrition emergency in Katsina has yet to translate into effective intervention.

Experts propose a multi-pronged response: investing in education, healthcare, and rural infrastructure; creating jobs to curb youth recruitment into armed groups; scaling up transparent cash transfers; and mandating quarterly poverty reduction reports in the National Assembly.

On security, analysts recommend combining military efforts with community peacebuilding, vocational training, and stronger border control. A national security summit by September 2025 is urged to craft coordinated reforms with civil society and local leaders.

Nigeria’s future depends on inclusive policies, transparent governance, and effective international cooperation. Without decisive action, the intertwined crises of poverty and insecurity will continue to endanger national stability.

By Makinde oyinkansola| August 21, 2025