Sokoto, Bayelsa, Gombe Top Nigeria’s Multidimensional Poverty Index
Jerry Adesewo
New figures from the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (NMPI 2022) paint a stark picture of poverty across Nigeria, with Sokoto, Bayelsa, and Gombe states ranking as the hardest hit.
According to the report, over 90 percent of Sokoto residents live in multidimensional poverty, making it the poorest state in Nigeria. Bayelsa (88.5%) and Gombe (86.2%) closely follow, highlighting the widespread deprivation cutting across northern and southern regions alike.
_The Poorest States_
The top 10 states with the highest multidimensional poverty rates are:
Sokoto: 90.5%
Bayelsa: 88.5%
Gombe: 86.2%
Jigawa: 84.3%
Plateau: 84%
Yobe: 83.5%
Kebbi: 82.2%
Taraba: 79.4%
Ebonyi: 78%
Zamfara: 78%
These numbers show that 9 out of every 10 residents in Sokoto and Bayelsa live in poverty, while nearly 8 out of 10 people in states like Taraba, Ebonyi, and Zamfara are also affected.
_States With Mid-Level Poverty_
Several states sit in the mid-range, with between 60–75% of their populations classified as poor. They include Cross River (75.4%), Benue (75%), Bauchi (73.9%), Kaduna (73.9%), Katsina (72.7%), and Borno (72.5%).
Oil-rich Rivers State (62.4%) and Kogi (61.3%) also feature prominently, raising questions about how wealth distribution and governance intersect with persistent poverty.
_The Least Poor States_
On the other end of the spectrum, a handful of states report comparatively lower poverty rates. Lagos (29.4%), Ondo (27.2%), Abia (29.8%), Anambra (32.1%), and Edo (35.4%) rank as the least poor, alongside Ekiti (36%).
The data suggests a geographical divide: southern states generally fare better than northern states, though outliers like Bayelsa—despite being an oil-rich state—struggle with one of the highest poverty levels in the country.
_What Multidimensional Poverty Means_
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) goes beyond income, measuring deprivation across areas such as access to healthcare, education, housing, sanitation, and employment. This makes the findings more comprehensive than income-based poverty statistics.
_Implications for Development_
Experts warn that these disparities undermine Nigeria’s development goals. Sokoto, Bayelsa, and Gombe’s alarming poverty levels reflect failures in governance, infrastructure, and equitable resource allocation.
With 133 million Nigerians already classified as multidimensionally poor nationwide, according to NMPI 2022, addressing this crisis has become urgent.
_The Bigger Picture_
The findings raise tough questions for federal and state governments: Why do oil-rich states like Bayelsa still record crushing poverty? Why are northern states consistently at the bottom despite decades of interventions?
As Nigeria pushes for economic reforms and social investments, analysts say tackling multidimensional poverty must remain at the center of policy, not just as a statistic, but as a matter of survival and dignity for millions.