EU Says Nigeria May Have World’s Largest Poor Population, Pledges €45m Aid

The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gautier Mignot, has said Nigeria may have the highest number of people living below the poverty threshold globally, calling for sustained efforts to address the country’s growing socio-economic challenges.

Mignot spoke in Abuja during an event marking the 2026 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, where he urged the Federal Government, development partners and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to reduce poverty and improve living conditions.

He cited figures showing that 133 million Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty in 2022, adding that estimates from different sources suggested the situation had deteriorated since then.

The ambassador also announced that the EU had committed nearly €45 million in humanitarian assistance to Nigeria in 2026, with particular attention to communities affected by conflict and other humanitarian emergencies.

The funding is being channelled through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) to provide support in areas affected by insecurity, displacement, food shortages and malnutrition.

Mignot said the EU was working with the Nigerian government, humanitarian organisations, development partners and local communities to ensure that emergency assistance was linked to longer-term resilience and sustainable development.

He stressed that humanitarian aid addressed immediate needs, while effective poverty reduction required policies and programmes that created lasting opportunities for vulnerable households to improve their circumstances.

Speaking on the event’s theme, *United for Peace and Human Rights: Safe Homes for All*, the envoy said meaningful poverty reduction was closely linked to peace, security, dignity and respect for human rights.

He noted that households unable to meet their basic needs could hardly feel secure or fully enjoy their fundamental rights.

Mignot acknowledged the Federal Government’s efforts through social investment programmes, targeted cash transfers, livelihood support and initiatives designed to strengthen social protection systems.

He identified the National Social Safety Net Programme, the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus, and the Renewed Hope Social Protection Programme among the interventions aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians.

The ambassador also highlighted the EU-supported programme for strengthening sustainable social protection systems in Nigeria, implemented in collaboration with organisations including UNICEF, the German development agency GIZ, the International Labour Organisation, ActionAid and Oxfam.

The programme covers Abia, Benue, Oyo, Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa and Borno states, focusing on improving social protection policies, expanding social registers to identify vulnerable households and strengthening data systems for planning and resource allocation.

He said multidimensional poverty assessments were important for identifying overlapping disadvantages in education, healthcare, nutrition and living standards, enabling governments to direct resources towards those most in need.

Mignot added that the EU had supported the review of Nigeria’s National Social Protection Policy and the development of state-level policies and a Social Protection Bill.

He called for stronger coordination between humanitarian assistance and long-term development programmes, warning that poor households were particularly vulnerable to emergencies and other disruptions.

The ambassador also welcomed efforts to ensure that Nigerian authorities progressively assumed greater responsibility for financing and coordinating humanitarian interventions.

He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to working with Nigeria and its development partners to tackle poverty, strengthen social protection and improve the resilience of vulnerable communities.

Mignot urged stakeholders to sustain their commitment beyond commemorative events, stressing that poverty and humanitarian needs required continuous attention and coordinated action.