Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has sparked debate after claiming that an average Nigerian can live on N3,000 a day.
Omokri made the statement while discussing Nigeria’s rising cost of living and global poverty measurements.
He argued that poverty should be assessed based on the economic realities of each country.
Omokri Checks Food Prices
The former presidential aide said he personally visited markets to check the prices of basic food items.
According to him, he went with a journalist and had no security detail during the exercise.
He said they checked the prices of yam, rice, maize and fruits.
After comparing the prices, Omokri concluded that N3,000 could cover an average Nigerian’s daily needs.
“In Nigeria, people can live on that amount in a day,” he said.
His claim comes amid ongoing concerns over the rising cost of food and other essentials across the country.
He Compares Nigeria With the US
Omokri also compared Nigeria’s purchasing power with that of the United States.
He noted that trying to survive on the equivalent amount in the US would amount to extreme poverty.
“In the United States, if you try to live on that amount in a day, it is poverty,” he said.
He therefore stressed the importance of considering local economic conditions when discussing poverty.
Omokri Questions Global Poverty Benchmarks
The ambassador-designate also questioned international poverty measurements used by institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
He argued that global benchmarks may not fully reflect differences in local prices and purchasing power.
According to Omokri, using one standard to measure poverty across different economies can overlook the realities people face in individual countries.
His comments have drawn attention as Nigerians continue to grapple with the cost of food and everyday living expenses.
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