By Anthony Otaru, Abuja
Economists and development experts have warned that worsening poverty in Nigeria is pushing increasing numbers of citizens into theft, robbery, vandalism and other forms of criminality, as economic hardship continues to deepen across the country.
They blamed recent economic reforms, entrenched corruption and weak governance structures for the rising poverty levels, saying millions of Nigerians are being forced into desperation-driven crimes due to declining living standards.
Findings by ThisNigeria indicate that Nigeria’s poverty rate rose to 63 per cent in April 2026, with approximately 140 million citizens now living in extreme poverty, according to the World Bank’s latest Development Update.
The figure shows a steady increase from 61 per cent in 2024 and a sharp rise from 40 per cent recorded in 2019, with analysts linking the worsening trend to inflation, the removal of fuel subsidies, naira devaluation, and poor policy implementation.
Economic expert and newspaper columnist Dr Dahiru Mujeed said government policies and governance failures have significantly worsened poverty and social instability.
“My belief rests on the fact that the government has business in business. The government still needs to put in place subsidies, especially in the energy sector. This will help reduce poverty,” Mujeed said.
He stressed that Nigeria must move away from excessive consumption toward a productive economic system that generates employment and reduces hardship.
According to him, poverty reduction must focus on structural reforms, political accountability and strategic investments rather than short-term palliative measures.
Professor Omo-Ogun Ajayi of the University of Calabar described the country’s poverty crisis as a direct trigger for survival-driven crimes.
“Poverty has become survival-driven theft because many Nigerians can no longer afford necessities. This is forcing people into petty theft, robbery and vandalism of public assets such as streetlights, power installations and highway manholes,” Ajayi said.
He added that youth unemployment has worsened the situation.
“The unemployment rate among young people has increased, leading to organised theft, kidnappings for ransom and armed robbery as desperate youths seek alternative means of survival,” he stated.
Ajayi further noted that criminal syndicates and scavengers now target public infrastructure, including electricity installations and healthcare supplies, to earn income in the fragile economy.
Development economist Professor Ken Ife blamed widespread corruption and poor leadership for Nigeria’s deepening poverty crisis.
“Nigeria has become a cesspool of corruption in governance. Funds that should have been used for health, education, roads, power and economic development are being mismanaged, creating massive unemployment that pushes young people into criminal activities,” Ife said.
He lamented that worsening insecurity, food inflation, and failing public services have left millions struggling to survive.
“Today’s poverty in Nigeria is suffocating. People can barely feed, insecurity has displaced farmers, rents are unaffordable, and healthcare services are collapsing,” he added.
Ife warned that the nation is trapped in a vicious cycle where poverty fuels crime, while crime further weakens economic growth and development.
Similarly, Professor Sheriffdeen Tella said corruption and weak institutional frameworks have compounded poverty and criminality.
“Massive corruption, especially the diversion of funds meant for poverty alleviation, has left millions vulnerable,” Tella said.
He also pointed to weak law enforcement and ineffective judicial systems as factors that embolden criminal activity.
“Low law enforcement capacity and weak judicial systems create low-risk environments for criminals, encouraging repeat offences and vandalism,” he said.
Tella advocated a people-centred economic approach focused on diversification, education, infrastructure development and institutional strengthening.
The economists unanimously maintained that unless Nigeria urgently addresses structural economic weaknesses, governance failures, and corruption, rising poverty will continue to drive criminality and threaten national stability.
