Approximately 123 million people in Nigeria are at risk of falling into extreme poverty, according to a report attributed to the World Bank in 2026.
Recent reports released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) previously identified Sokoto State as the state with the highest poverty rate in Nigeria, estimating that approximately 90.5 per cent of its population lives in extreme poverty.
However, a report published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) indicates that poverty levels vary significantly across Nigeria, with Sokoto State not ranking first under the measurement used in the report.
The report identified several factors contributing to poverty, including limited access to education, inadequate employment opportunities and insecurity. It also indicated that most of the states with the highest levels of poverty are located in north-western Nigeria.
According to the UNDP report, the following are the 10 states identified as being among the most affected by poverty in Nigeria in 2026.
1. Kebbi State
Kebbi State ranks first on the list of states identified by the UNDP report as having the highest levels of poverty in Nigeria.
The report indicates that poverty in the state affects several aspects of life, including education, housing conditions, environmental sanitation and access to essential services.
Data from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for 2019 showed that only 39 per cent of the state's population had access to clean drinking water, while just one per cent had access to water classified as being of good quality.
These figures highlight some of the longstanding challenges facing the state, particularly the inadequate provision of essential infrastructure and basic amenities.
2. Yobe State
The UNDP report ranks Yobe State second among the Nigerian states most affected by poverty, based on the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
The report attributes poverty in the state to several factors, including limited access to education, low school attendance, malnutrition and inadequate infrastructure.
Yobe also faces challenges relating to housing, environmental sanitation, access to drinking water and clean cooking energy.
According to the report, the simultaneous occurrence of these challenges indicates that many households lack access to essential services and basic necessities required for a decent standard of living.
3. Sokoto State
Although previous reports by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) identified Sokoto State as Nigeria's poorest state, the UNDP report ranks it third under the Multidimensional Poverty Index.
The report identifies limited access to education, particularly in terms of years of schooling and school attendance, as well as inadequate access to clean drinking water and insecurity, among the major challenges facing the state.
Other concerns include poor housing conditions, inadequate electricity supply and poor environmental sanitation.
Sokoto is among the states in northern Nigeria affected by insecurity, which has forced thousands of people to flee their homes and communities.
4. Jigawa State
Jigawa State ranks fourth among the states identified in the report as having high levels of poverty.
The report identifies limited access to education, malnutrition and inadequate water supply and sanitation services as major factors contributing to poverty in the state.
Jigawa State was created on August 27, 1991, following the division of the former Kano State during the military administration of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
5. Zamfara State
Zamfara State ranks fifth among the states identified as being severely affected by poverty in Nigeria.
The state is among those with a significant number of out-of-school children. School closures caused by bandit attacks, coupled with limited employment opportunities for young people, have further aggravated poverty in the state.
According to the UNDP report, educational deprivation and malnutrition are among the major challenges facing Zamfara.
The state also suffers from inadequate basic infrastructure, including decent housing, clean drinking water and access to modern cooking energy.
6. Gombe State
Gombe State ranks sixth among the Nigerian states most affected by poverty, according to the report.
Known as the "Jewel in the Savannah," Gombe is located in north-eastern Nigeria. It is the highest-ranking state in the region on the list presented in the report.
Although the state's poverty levels may be lower than those of some states ranked above it, the report indicates that significant challenges remain in education, access to clean cooking energy and environmental sanitation.
Gombe is home to several ethnic groups, including the Fulani, Tangale, Waja, Tera, Hausa and Bolewa, among others.
7. Borno State
Borno State ranks seventh on the list of states identified by the UNDP report as being severely affected by poverty.
Located in north-eastern Nigeria, Borno is among the states that have faced prolonged challenges relating to poverty and the general welfare of their populations.
In 2025, figures attributed to NBS reports indicated that approximately 64 to 72.5 per cent of the state's population lived in poverty.
The report identifies limited access to education, malnutrition and inadequate infrastructure as major factors contributing to poverty in the state.
Poor housing conditions, insufficient access to clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation facilities also contribute to the problem.
8. Bauchi State
Bauchi State ranks eighth among the states identified by the UNDP report as having high levels of poverty.
The report indicates that educational deprivation, poor sanitation and limited access to clean drinking water are among the major factors contributing to poverty in the state.
Bauchi faces several economic, social and security challenges that affect the livelihoods and living conditions of its residents.
Figures attributed to the National Bureau of Statistics indicate that approximately 73.9 per cent of the state's population lives in poverty.
The state government has repeatedly expressed concern over insecurity in some communities and forested areas, particularly in Alkaleri Local Government Area and other border communities.
9. Niger State
Niger State ranks ninth among the states identified in the report as being severely affected by poverty.
The state faces poverty-related challenges across several dimensions. Although the state capital, Minna, has experienced development, many rural communities continue to struggle with severe hardship and food insecurity.
Some reports by the National Bureau of Statistics indicate that more than 60 per cent of the state's population lives in poverty.
The challenges include inadequate healthcare facilities, limited access to clean drinking water and poor rural roads, which make it difficult for farmers to transport their agricultural produce to markets.
10. Katsina State
Katsina State completes the list of the 10 states identified in the report as being among the most affected by poverty in Nigeria.
According to the UNDP report, limited access to education, malnutrition and inadequate water supply and sanitation services are among the major challenges facing the state.
Many rural communities and local government areas also experience recurrent attacks by armed bandits.
The bandits abduct residents for ransom and steal livestock, forcing thousands of people in rural communities to abandon their homes.
These security challenges have further worsened the hardship and poverty experienced by affected communities.