Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Nigeria is confronting a stark socioeconomic reality as an estimated 141 million Nigerians — or roughly 62 per cent of the population — are projected to live in abject poverty this year, even as the federal government’s 2026 budget earmarks significant funds for communications and publicity activities that include allocations for influencers, bloggers and related media engagements.
A recent PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026 report highlights the severity of the crisis, projecting that the nation’s poverty rate could rise to 62 per cent in 2026 due to weak real income growth and the ongoing impact of high inflation and food insecurity. The report estimates that about 141 million people will struggle to meet basic needs this year, reflecting entrenched hardship for a vast majority of Nigerians.
Against this backdrop of widespread hardship, a detailed review of the federal government’s 2026 budget reveals that the Ministry of Information has allocated more than ₦200 million in taxpayers’ money for activities involving bloggers, social media influencers, public relations engagement, and communications strategies linked to government messaging and stakeholder interactions.
Line items in the budget include funds designated for weekly ministerial briefings and interactions with stakeholders including bloggers and online publishers, facilitation of pro‑government influencers and media analysts, and town‑hall style engagements. Additional allocations cover the development of social media platforms and networking, the production of documentaries and public interest jingles, and nationwide opinion polls — all totalling in excess of ₦200 million once combined.
Critics of the budget’s communication spending argue that such allocations raise questions of priorities and public finance in the context of deepening poverty, pointing to the vast gap between basic welfare needs and discretionary spending on publicity and image management. Opponents contend that in a period where millions face daily struggles to afford essentials, government resources might be more effectively directed toward poverty alleviation, job creation, food security initiatives, and social safety nets.
Prominent voices within Nigerian civil society and political circles have underscored the disconnect between budgeting decisions and the socioeconomic realities of citizens. Peter Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate, has repeatedly spotlighted the rising numbers of impoverished Nigerians, warning that 141 million people living in poverty signals a national crisis and criticising political leaders for focus on internal power struggles at the expense of urgent socioeconomic reforms.
Defenders of the budget allocations argue that effective government communication, including engagement with journalists and digital influencers, is essential for reaching wider audiences and explaining policy actions. They maintain that strategic messaging can help temper misinformation, clarify government intentions, and promote citizen engagement. However, detractors remain unconvinced, saying transparency and results in core welfare areas should take precedence.
The broader economic context compounds the debate: persistently high food prices, elevated living costs, and modest job creation have placed considerable strain on households. According to analysts, even if headline inflation eases, structural cost pressures such as energy and logistics will continue to limit purchasing power for low‑income Nigerians.
As the 2026 budget is implemented, public scrutiny of government spending choices is intensifying. Many Nigerians continue to search for evidence of tangible investments that deliver direct benefits, such as improvements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social protection programmes. Critics are urging a rebalancing of priorities that aligns fiscal planning with the urgent needs of a population where the majority are vulnerable to economic shocks and rising costs of living.
The debate over allocations for influencers and bloggers reflects a wider tension in governance discourse: how to reconcile government communication imperatives with pressing socioeconomic challenges that affect millions. As Nigeria navigates its economic landscape in 2026, the outcomes of this conversation will have implications for public trust, policy credibility, and the effectiveness of fiscal strategies in addressing poverty and inequality.
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