Nigeria Home To Poorest People In The World – Theresa May

Ahead Of her visit to Nigeria, British Prime Minister, Theresa May, says 87 million Nigerians, about half of the country’s population, live below “$1 and 90 cents a day”.

Speaking in Cape Town, South Africa, on Tuesday, May said Nigeria is home to highest number of very poor people, more than any other country in the world.

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She said Africa is home to a majority of the world’s displaced people, adding that she wants the UK to become the biggest G-7 investor in Africa by 2022.

May said achieving inclusive growth is a challenge across the world, adding that Africa needs to create 50,000 new jobs per day to keep employment rate at its current level till 2035.

May arrived South Africa on Tuesday. She is on a three-nation tour of Africa, and expected to visit Nigeria on Wednesday and Kenya the day after.

“Much of Nigeria is thriving, with many individuals enjoying the fruits of a resurgent economy, yet 87 million Nigerians live below $1 and 90 cents a day, making it home to more very poor people than any other nation in the world,” the UK prime minister said.

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“I am unashamed about the need to ensure that our aid program works for the UK,” May said, adding that a healthy African economy is good news for the UK.

“Today I am committing that our development spending will not only combat extreme poverty, but at the same time tackle global challenges and support our own national interest.

“It is in the world’s interest to see that those jobs are created, to tackle the causes and symptoms of extremism and instability, to deal with migration flows and to encourage clean growth.

In June, Nigeria overtook India as the country with the largest number of people living in extreme poverty, according to a report by the World Poverty Clock.

According to the report, extreme poverty in Nigeria is growing by six people every minute, the highest number in the world.

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At the end of May (2018), the survey showed that Nigeria had an estimated 87 million people in extreme poverty, compared to India’s 73 million.

Reacting, the Nigerian government dismissed the report, saying it was compiled when the country was in recession.

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