Economic Insight: From Asia to Africa: 7 ways Nigeria’s youth could drive economic growth

In Nigeria, a large and youthful population should signify economic potential, yet poverty dims this promise. A staggering 40.98 percent of Nigerians (90.161 million people) live in extreme poverty, according to the data from Statista in 2023. This poverty burden is particularly heavy in northern Nigeria, where around 65 percent of the country’s poorest reside. Despite ongoing economic reforms, such as recent subsidy removals, Nigeria's most vulnerable continue to face deepening economic pain.

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