Poverty, Food Insecurity Remain High in Nigeria Despite Reforms—IMF

The global lender said this after the conclusion of its 2025 Article IV Consultations with Nigeria from April 2 to 15 in Lagos and Abuja.

Officials of the IMF led by the mission chief for Nigeria, Mr Axel Schimmelpfennig, held talks with senior government officials, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Abubakar Kyari; and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Yemi Cardoso.

Others were senior government and central bank officials, the Ministry of the Environment, the private sector, academia, labour unions, and civil society.

In a statement made available to Business Post by the IMF, the federal government was praised for its reforms as well as the central bank for stopping the funding of budget deficits through ways and means.

“The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilize the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth.

“The financing of the fiscal deficit by the central bank has ceased, costly fuel subsidies were removed, and the functioning of the foreign exchange market has improved. Gains have yet to benefit all Nigerians as poverty and food insecurity remain high.

”The outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. Elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices impact the Nigerian economy.

“The reforms since 2023 have put the Nigerian economy in a better position to navigate this external environment.

“Looking ahead, macroeconomic policies need to further strengthen buffers and resilience, while creating enabling conditions for private sector-led growth,” the statement said.