The World Bank’s latest report paints a picture that is both encouraging and troubling for Nigeria.

Development Diaries reports that the World Bank recently, during the launch of the latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU), called on Nigeria to ensure that the positive outcomes from its recent macroeconomic reforms translate into real improvements in citizens’ living standards.

The bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, noted that new estimates show that about 139 million Nigerians are living in poverty.

On one hand, the government’s economic reforms, including subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, have helped stabilise key macroeconomic indicators such as revenue, reserves, and inflation.

While on paper, Nigeria appears to be on the right path toward long-term growth and stability, the reality on the ground tells a different story, one of deepening hardship for millions of citizens.

With 139 million Nigerians now living in poverty, according to the bank, the benefits of these reforms remain far removed from the everyday experience of ordinary people.

Inflation, particularly food inflation, continues to erode purchasing power, and unemployment keeps many households trapped in survival mode.

The contradiction between economic progress and public suffering shows that reform without inclusion is simply another way of widening inequality.

For the Tinubu administration, this should serve as a wake-up call. Economic growth that does not improve human welfare is a hollow victory.

President Bola Tinubu must urgently channel reform gains into policies that directly impact citizens’ lives, reducing food prices, investing in local production, improving access to education and healthcare, and expanding social safety programmes.

Nigeria needs reforms with a human face, not statistics that only look good in international reports.

Citizens, too, have a role to play. Nigerians must continue to demand transparency, accountability, and people-centred economic policies.

Nigerians cannot afford to be silent spectators while policies are crafted that affect their livelihoods. It is time to insist that every reform, every budget, and every policy decision answers a simple question: how does this improve the life of the average Nigerian?

Until leaders and citizens align on this goal, reform gains will remain trapped in reports, not reflected in reality.