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808 Million People Trapped In Extreme Poverty – UN Raises Alarm

Published

8 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The United Nations (UN) has raised fresh concerns over rising global poverty and hunger, warning that the world is off track to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030, a central target of the Sustainable Development Goals.

In a statement shared on its social media platforms on Monday, the global body disclosed that no fewer than 808 million people, representing one in every 10 persons worldwide, were living in extreme poverty in 2025.

The figure, according to the UN, reflects an upward revision from earlier projections following an update to the international poverty benchmark.

The organisation explained that the international poverty line is now defined as surviving on less than $3.00 per person per day at 2021 purchasing power parity.

“Eradicating extreme poverty for all people everywhere by 2030 is a pivotal aim of the Sustainable Development Goals,” the agency stated.

While acknowledging that extreme poverty has declined remarkably over the past decades, the UN lamented that progress has slowed significantly in recent years.

“If current trends continue, 8.9 per cent of the world’s population will still live in extreme poverty by 2030,” the statement added, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

Beyond poverty statistics, the UN described as “shocking” the resurgence of global hunger levels to figures last recorded in 2005.

It also noted a persistent increase in food prices across more countries compared to the 2015–2019 period, describing the combined crisis of poverty and food insecurity as a critical global concern.

The body warned that without decisive action, millions more could slide into deeper hardship as economic pressures and food inflation continue to bite.

Explaining the root causes of the crisis, the UN said poverty is multidimensional and driven by factors such as unemployment, social exclusion, and the high vulnerability of certain populations to disasters, diseases and other shocks that limit productivity.

It stressed that poverty and inequality extend beyond those directly affected, impacting broader society.

“As human beings, our well-being is linked to each other,” the statement read.

The organisation warned that widening inequality is detrimental to economic growth, weakens social cohesion, heightens political and social tensions, and in some cases fuels instability and conflict.

3.8 Billion People Lack Social Protection

On social protection, the UN emphasised that robust systems are essential to cushion shocks and prevent people from slipping into poverty.

Although many countries expanded safety nets during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global body revealed that 47.6 per cent of the world’s population, approximately 3.8 billion people, remained completely unprotected as of 2023.

This figure includes about 1.4 billion children.

Addressing the global cost-of-living crisis, the UN said 105 countries and territories introduced nearly 350 social protection measures between February 2022 and February 2023.

However, the organisation observed that about 80 per cent of these measures were short-term interventions.

“To achieve the Goals, countries will need to implement nationally appropriate universal and sustainable social protection systems for all,” the agency said.

The UN called for stronger collaboration among governments, the private sector and citizens to reverse current trends.

It urged individuals to actively participate in policymaking processes to ensure their rights are protected and their voices heard.

Governments, the body noted, must create enabling environments that generate productive employment and job opportunities for the poor and marginalised.

The private sector, it added, “has a major role to play in determining whether the growth it creates is inclusive and contributes to poverty reduction.”

The organisation further highlighted the role of science and innovation in tackling poverty, citing improvements in access to safe drinking water, reductions in deaths from water-borne diseases and enhanced hygiene standards as notable gains.

Maintaining that coordinated and sustained efforts across sectors remain critical, the UN insisted that urgent action is required to lift millions out of poverty and ensure that no one is left behind by 2030.

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FG blames technical hitch for February salaries delay

Published

7 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Federal Government has blamed a technical hitch for the delay in the payment of February salaries to treasury-funded workers, announcing that disbursement had commenced nationwide.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation said it had started paying affected workers after resolving the issue that disrupted the schedule.

The statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, read in part, “The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has commenced the payment of February 2026 salaries to Federal Government treasury-funded workers. Payments began on Monday, March 2, 2026.

“The Office explained that the delay in the payment of the February 2026 salaries was due to a technical hitch, and it has been tackled, and necessary measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence.”

The clarification followed concerns among federal workers over the late payment of their February salaries, which are typically credited before the end of the month.

The OAGF also disclosed progress on outstanding wage awards, stating that part of the arrears had been cleared.

The statement added, “In addition, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has received approval and has concluded the process of payment of one month wage award arrears out of the three months outstanding.”

The wage award was introduced by the Federal Government as a temporary measure to cushion the impact of economic reforms and rising living costs on public sector employees.

The PUNCH last week reported that organised labour in the federal public service issued a Friday deadline to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate release of funds to settle three months’ outstanding wage awards and other pending allowances owed to workers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union Side) conveyed the ultimatum in a letter addressed to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, warning that failure to meet the February 27, 2026, deadline would compel the eight unions in the civil service to take decisive action.

The unions accused the government of withholding funds meant for workers, alleging that relevant agencies were prepared to process payments once the Ministry of Finance released the required funds.

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NAF airstrikes kill terrorist commanders in Borno

Published

13 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Nigerian Air Force, under the Joint Task Force of Operation Hadin Kai, conducted an intelligence-driven Air Interdiction mission against terrorist elements in the Yuwe general area of the Sambisa axis in Borno State.

The early morning operation, according to the service, followed confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance that identified structures used as terrorist commanders’ hideouts and logistics warehouses.

A statement released on Monday by the NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said post-strike assessments, supported by intelligence sources, confirmed the neutralisation of several high-value operatives, including senior commanders and fighters coordinating activities within the theatre.

The statement partly read, “The NAF under the Joint Task Force of Operation Hadin Kai, executed a decisive, intelligence-driven Air Interdiction mission against terrorist elements in the Yuwe general area of the Sambisa axis on 28 February 2026. The early morning operation followed confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance which identified structures serving as terrorist commanders’ hideouts and logistics warehouses.

“Acting with precision and overwhelming force, NAF strike elements successfully acquired and engaged the validated targets, delivering accurate air strikes that effectively dismantled critical terrorist infrastructure.

“Post-strike assessments, corroborated by credible intelligence sources, confirm the neutralisation of several high-value terrorist operatives, including senior commanders and fighters actively coordinating hostile activities within the theatre.”

He said the strikes disrupted the terrorists’ command-and-control structure and degraded their logistics network, limiting their operational capacity in the area.

He stated, “The strikes significantly disrupted the terrorists’ command-and-control architecture and degraded their logistics network, further constraining their operational capabilities in the region.

“The Nigerian Air Force has since maintained a sustained ISR presence over the area to identify and engage additional verified targets, keeping relentless pressure on fleeing and regrouping elements.”

Commenting on the operation, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, commended the professionalism and combat efficiency of the aircrew and supporting personnel.

He reaffirmed the NAF’s unwavering resolve to deny terrorists any sanctuary within the country.

“The Nigerian Air Force will continue to project decisive air power in close synergy with ground forces until every identified terrorist enclave is dismantled. We remain committed to sustaining aggressive, intelligence-led operations that protect our nation and restore enduring peace,” he added.

The air operation forms part of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts under Operation Hadin Kai in Nigeria’s North-East.

The Nigerian Air Force has sustained aerial offensives in the Sambisa axis and surrounding areas to degrade terrorist strongholds, disrupt logistics networks and support ground troops in restoring security across affected communities.

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Shiites protest in Lagos over Iran’s invasion, Ayatollah Khamenei’s death

Published

19 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Members of the South West leadership of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria staged a peaceful protest in Lagos State, denouncing the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in strikes by the United States and Israel.

The protest, which took place in the early hours of Monday, follows similar demonstrations in Kano State on Sunday.

In Lagos, demonstrators marched through parts of the Maryland axis, carrying placards and banners denouncing what they described as an “invasion” of Iran and the targeted assassination of the long-serving Iranian leader.

Chants and slogans expressed solidarity with Iran and strong opposition to the actions of the United States and Israel.

According to reports from Leadership, the gathering remained calm and orderly, with no immediate reports of violence or major disruptions or spread to other areas.

Some IMN leaders, speaking to newsmen, urged the Nigerian government to reject the presence of US troops in the country.

South West coordinator of IMN, Muftau Zakariya, said that the protest was organised to express their concerns about what he called sustained invasions of sovereign nations by the United States administration, citing Venezuela as a recent example of foreign interference.

Zakariya also claimed that terrorism in Nigeria has increased since the involvement of the US government.

He said heightened and sustained attacks in Kwara State followed what he described as US involvement in the country’s affairs.

“I said to you that nothing good is coming from the US intervention. It is only interested in their economic gains and not minding the consequences thereafter,” he told Leadership.

Another leader of the movement, Muhammadu Bashir, said the protest was a way of registering their concerns over the killing of Iranian leaders.

He said the protest would remain peaceful and would be sustained across the region.

The demonstration follows widespread outrage among Shi’ite communities globally after Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei’s death on Saturday during a large-scale U.S.-Israeli operation against targets in Iran.

The strikes, which began on or around February 28, 2026, have escalated into ongoing military exchanges, with reports of significant casualties, retaliatory actions by Iran, and regional instability.

The Islamic Republic on Sunday announced 40 days of national mourning in honour of Khamenei, who ruled the Middle East nation for nearly four decades.

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