In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, we praise Him, ask His help and His pardon. We ask Him to protect us from the evil of our selves and from our bad actions. Whoever Allah guides none can lead him astray, and whoever He leads astray none can guide him. I testify also that there is none worthy of worship except Him, and that Muhammad is His servant and Prophet, may peace be upon him, upon his family and his brothers till the day of resurrection.
Dear brothers and sisters! Know that, as some people are spreading in social media platforms, up till today, there is no comprehensive state-level poverty data available for Nigeria for the year 2025, as official statistics are still pending or outdated. However, reports from late 2024 and early 2025 suggest that overall poverty in Nigeria is high, with the World Bank estimating that over 54% of Nigerians were living in poverty by 2024 and projecting that 129 million Nigerians are currently in poverty. For 2025, Sokoto and Taraba states are cited as having extremely high multidimensional poverty rates, while southern states generally have lower rates.
The World Bank projects that over 54% of Nigerians lived in poverty by 2024, a figure that stands at 129 million people as of early 2025.
Poverty has risen significantly in Nigeria since 2018, with slow economic growth failing to outpace inflation, leading to a 56% poverty rate by 2024, up from 40.1% in 2018.
Sokoto, Bayelsa, and Gombe states are among the top most multidimensionally poor states, with rates exceeding 86% in some reports.
Poverty in these states is often linked to factors like corruption, harsh climate conditions, lack of infrastructure investment, dependence on agriculture, and insufficient rainfall.
Southern states generally record lower poverty rates than the northern states, according to Statista.
National poverty statistics, especially detailed by state, are collected through surveys and reports by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and are not typically released for the current year immediately.
While some sources like X and Punch Newspapers reported on 2024/2025 poverty levels in early 2025, these often reference older data or preliminary findings, or are projections rather than complete statistics.
Fellow brothers and sisters! As mentioned above, there are no officially published National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) poverty data for 2025, as the latest available multidimensional poverty index (MPI) survey by the NBS was conducted in 2022. As such, any lists of the “poorest states in Nigeria for 2025” are likely outdated or speculative, but based on the 2022 data, the states with the highest multidimensional poverty rates were Sokoto, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Kebbi, Gombe, Yobe, and Plateau.
The 2022 MPI survey found that 63% of people in Nigeria, or 133 million people, were multidimensionally poor.
The states with the highest multidimensional poverty indices were:
1. Sokoto: (0.409)
2. Bayelsa: (0.401)
3. Jigawa: (0.385)
4. Kebbi: (0.385)
5. Gombe: (0.380)
6. Yobe: (0.370)
7. Plateau: (0.365)
The NBS publishes these reports periodically, and the latest comprehensive data is from 2022.
Social media posts or articles referencing “2025” data for specific states like Kebbi, Gombe, and Bauchi may be using data from different time periods or are speculative, as noted by conflicting reports from late 2024 and early 2025.
To get the most accurate information, you should refer to the official publications of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) when their next multidimensional poverty index report is released.
Dear servants of Allah! No doubt, poverty is one of the calamities and trials that Allah has decreed should happen, either to a specific person or a family or a society or a country (But sometimes the poverty is man-made). Poverty has negative and dangerous effects on people’s beliefs and conduct. Many terrorist and bandit groups exploit the poverty and want of some peoples to spread terrorism and banditry among their ranks. Similarly, immoral behaviour becomes widespread to a large extent because of poverty, as a means of meeting people’s needs, so theft, murder, zina, fornication, adultery, sale of prohibited things, and many criminal acts become widespread.
Undoubtedly these things have a negative effect on individuals and societies. Allah tells us that some of the unbelievers used to kill their children, the apples of their eyes, either because of the poverty in which they were living or for fear of poverty that might befall them. Allah says of the first case:
“…kill not your children because of poverty — We provide sustenance for you and for them.” [Qur’an, 6:151]
And He says of the second case:
“And kill not your children for fear of poverty. We shall provide for them as well as for you. Surely, the killing of them is a great sin.” [Qur’an, 17:31]
In Bukhari and Muslim, there is narrated the story of a woman of the Children of Israel who, when she needed money and felt under pressure, she could not find anyone but her paternal cousin who wanted to have his way with her in return for giving her money. Then Allah saved her from that after she reminded him of Allah and told him to fear Him.
Whatever the case, it is well known that poverty leads to crimes and corruption in the country. Many nations suffer from it and are looking for solutions to this problem, but to no avail, and there is no solution except in following the right way, which brought rulings for all people until the Hour begins.
Respected brothers and sisters! The means that have been prescribed by Islam to solve the problem of poverty and combat it are as follows:
Teaching people to believe truly that provision comes from Allah and that He is the Provider (al-Razzaq), and every calamity that Allah decrees is for a reason, and that the poor Muslim should be patient in bearing his calamity and strive to relieve himself and his family of poverty.
Allah the Most High says:
“Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong.” [Qur’an, 51:58]
And He says:
“And no moving (living) creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposit (in the uterus or grave). All is in a Clear Book (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz — the Book of Decrees with Allah).” [Qur’an, 11:6]
And He says:
“Who is he that can provide for you if He should withhold His provision? Nay, but they continue to be in pride, and (they) flee (from the truth).” [Qur’an, 67:21]
And He says:
“And indeed We have honoured the Children of Adam, and We have carried them on land and sea, and have provided them with At-Tayyibat (lawful good things), and have preferred them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preferment.” [Qur’an, 17:70]
It is because of these beliefs that a man should bear with patience whatever befalls him of the calamity of poverty, and turn to Allah Alone in seeking provision, and accept the decree of Allah, and strive to earn a living.
Suhaib Ar-Rumi (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:
“How wonderful is the situation of the believer, for all his affairs are good. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks for it and that is good for him; if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him.” [Muslim]
We can understand the effect of this belief on the Muslims by looking at what happens to others. In Japan – for example – in 2003 thirty-three thousand people committed suicide! And one of the main reasons for that was poverty and unemployment. In a report on the BBC website on 1/9/2004 they said:
“Official statistics show that thirty-three thousand people killed themselves last year in Japan. Japanese officials say that one of the reasons for this rise in the suicide rate is the economic recession that Japan is facing, which is regarded as the worst in fifty years. This has led to an unprecedented rise in unemployment as well as a rise in cases of depression, especially among middle-aged men.”
Allah the Most High says:
“Truly, your Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills and straightens (for whom He wills). Verily, He is Ever All-Knower, All-Seer of His servants.” [Qur’an, 17:30]
Imam Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“The words of Allah “Truly, your Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills and straightens (for whom He wills)” tell us that He (Allah), may He be exalted, is the Provider, the Withholder and the Bestower, Who deals with His creation as He wills. He grants independence of means to whomsoever He wills and makes poor whomsoever He wills, with wisdom in that. Hence He says “Verily, He is Ever All-Knower, All-Seer of His servants” i.e., He knows and sees who deserves to be rich and who deserves to be poor. In some cases wealth may be a means of letting people get carried away in sin and poverty may be a punishment from Allah. We seek refuge with Allah from both.” [See Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, volume 5, page 71]
Fellow brothers and sisters! The Sunnah relates to us what the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) used to do and what he taught his Ummah to do, which is seeking refuge with Allah from poverty, because of the effect that it has on a person, his family and his society.
It was narrated that Muslim Ibn Abi Bakrah said:
“My father used to say following every prayer: Allahummah inni a’uzu bika minal-kufri wal-faqri wa‘azabil-qabr (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from disbelief, poverty and the torment of the grave), and I used to say them too. My father said: O my son, where did you get this from? I said: From you. He said: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) used to say that following every prayer.” [Al-Nasa’i; and classed as Sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih al-Nasa’i]
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) used to say in his prayer: “Allahummah inni a’uzu bika minal-ma’tham wal-maghram (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from sin and heavy debt).” Someone said to him: “How often you seek refuge from heavy debt!” He said: “When a man gets into debt, he speak and tells lies, and he makes a promise and breaks it.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Allah the Almighty says:
“He it is Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e. easy for you to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it); so walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision. And to Him will be the Resurrection.” [Qur’an, 67:15]
And He says:
“Then when the (Jumu‘ah) Salah (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working), and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.” [Qur’an, 63:10]
It was narrated from Al-Miqdam (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:
“No one ever eats any food better than that which he has earned with his own hands. The Prophet of Allah, Dawud (Peace be upon him), ate that which he earned with his own hands.” [Bukhari]
It was narrated from al-Zubair Ibn Al-Awwam (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“If one of you were to take a rope and bring firewood on his back and sell it, thus preserving his dignity, that is better for him than asking of people who may give to him or withhold from him.” [Bukhari]
Dear servants of Allah! Allah has granted the poor a share of Zakah, which is to be given to the poor to keep, and is to be given until he becomes independent of means and is no longer poor.
Allah the Almighty says:
“As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakah) are only for the Fuqara (poor), and Al-Masakin (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujahidun — those fighting in Allah’s cause), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.” [Qur’an, 9:60]
And He says:
“And those in whose wealth there is a recognised right for the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth (and his means of living has been straightened).” [Qur’an, 70:24, 25]
And Allah the Most High says:
“So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can; listen and obey, and spend in charity; that is better for yourselves. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, then they are the successful ones.” [Qur’an, 64:16]
And He says:
“and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.” [Qur’an, 34:39]
And He says:
“And whatever good you send before you for yourselves (i.e. Nawafil — non-obligatory acts of worship: prayers, charity, fasting, Hajj and Umrah), you will certainly find it with Allah, better and greater in reward.” [Qur’an, 73:20]
It was narrated that Adiy Ibn Hatim said: I heard the Prophet (Peace be upon him) say:
“Whoever among you can shield himself against the Fire, even with half a date, let him do so.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
It was narrated that Sahl Ibn Sa’ad said: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:
“I and the one who sponsors an orphan will be like this in Paradise” – and he gestured with his forefinger and middle finger, holding them slightly apart.” [Bukhari and Muslim, and narrated a similar report from the Hadith of Abu Hurairah]
Abu Hurairah said:
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“The one who strives to help widows and the poor is like the one who strives in jihad for the sake of Allah and the one who prays at night and the one who fasts during the day.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
It was narrated that An-Nu’man Ibn Bashir said: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:
“The likeness of the believers in their mutual love, mercy and compassion is that of the body; when one part of it is in pain, the rest of the body joins it in restlessness and fever.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
It was narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:
“He is not a Muslim who eats his fill when his neighbour goes hungry.” [Al-Baihaqi in Ash-Shu’ab and by others. Classed as Hasan by Al-Albani]
In Muwatta of Imam Malik, it is narrated from Yahya Ibn Sa’id that Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) met Jabir Ibn Abdillah who was carrying some meat with him. He said: What is this?
He said: O Amirul-Mu’minin, we desired meat so I bought some meat for a dirham.
Umar said: Would one of you want to fill his belly apart from his neighbour or his cousin? What, don’t you pay heed to the Qur’anic verse, “You received your good things in the life of the world, and you took your pleasure therein.” [Qur’an, 46:20]?
Dear brothers and sisters! This is a brief look at poverty, which points to some of its bad effects. The Muslim knows that poverty and richness, and whether things are given to one or withheld, are all subject to the decree of Allah. So he bears hardships with patience when they come, and he thanks Allah, may He be exalted, for good times when he finds them. But he is required to work and seek to earn a living so as to relieve himself and his family of poverty. But if someone is unable to do that because of some health reasons or some problems in his country, then Islam relieves him of poverty by means of Zakah and charity that are given by the rich. This is the share of their wealth that the poor are entitled to.
Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa bara ka tuh
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Prayers, peace and mercy are upon our beloved master, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah (Peace be upon him), his family and Companions.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761 or +2348024192217.
