Nigeria has highest number of world’s poor people – British Prime Minister, Theresa May

British Prime Minister, Theresa May on Tuesday, noted Nigeria was the home of the highest number of poor people in the world.

She said this while observing that Africa was home to a majority of the world’s fragile states, and a quarter of the world’s displaced people.

Speaking in Cape Town, South Africa, May said 87 million Nigerians were living below the poverty line of $1 and 90 cents per day.

She said, “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 Prime Minister noted that achieving inclusive growth was a major challenge across the world.

She stressed that Africa needs to create 50,000 new jobs per day to keep employment rate at its current levels till 2035.

“I am unashamed about the need to ensure that our aid program works 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,” she added.