Sokoto State has emerged as the state with the highest multidimensional poverty rate in Nigeria, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), highlighting persistent challenges in living standards, education, healthcare access, and economic opportunities across several parts of the country.
The latest Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) places Sokoto at the top of the ranking with a poverty incidence of 90.5 per cent, indicating that a significant majority of residents experience multiple forms of deprivation beyond income poverty. Bayelsa followed closely with 88.5 per cent, while Gombe recorded 86.2 per cent to rank third among the most affected states.
The NBS data further showed that Jigawa and Plateau occupied fourth and fifth positions with multidimensional poverty rates of 84.3 per cent and 84.0 per cent respectively. Yobe, Kebbi, Taraba, Ebonyi and Zamfara also featured among the ten states with the highest poverty burdens nationwide.
Multidimensional poverty measures deprivation across several critical indicators, including access to healthcare, quality education, sanitation, housing conditions, security, employment opportunities and living standards. Brandspur Politics reports that the index provides a broader assessment of wellbeing than conventional income-based poverty measurements.
The ranking underscores the scale of socio-economic challenges confronting several states despite ongoing government interventions aimed at reducing poverty and improving access to basic services. Analysts note that multidimensional poverty often reflects long-standing deficits in infrastructure, human capital development and social protection systems.
Northern states accounted for the majority of locations on the list, reflecting regional disparities that have remained a concern for policymakers and development institutions. However, the inclusion of Bayelsa and Ebonyi also highlights that multidimensional poverty is not limited to one geographical region and remains a national development challenge.
Development experts have repeatedly stressed that tackling multidimensional poverty requires coordinated investments in education, healthcare, agricultural productivity, job creation and rural infrastructure. They argue that sustainable poverty reduction depends on addressing the underlying factors that limit opportunities and quality of life for vulnerable populations.
The latest figures are expected to inform policy discussions at both federal and state levels as governments seek more targeted approaches to improving living conditions and reducing deprivation across communities.
According to the NBS ranking, the ten states with the highest multidimensional poverty rates are Sokoto, Bayelsa, Gombe, Jigawa, Plateau, Yobe, Kebbi, Taraba, Ebonyi and Zamfara. The data serves as a reminder of the urgent need for inclusive economic growth and stronger social development programmes capable of reaching populations most affected by poverty.
As Nigeria continues efforts to strengthen economic resilience and improve social outcomes, the multidimensional poverty index remains a critical tool for measuring progress and identifying areas requiring immediate policy attention.
