Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Under Buhari, Nigeria’s economy to lose 10 years’ gains: World Bank

The World Bank’s projection comes as Nigeria strives to recover from the multiple recession that hit the country in 2016 and 2020.

• June 23, 2021
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

A new World Bank report says that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari will lose the economic gains it made in the last decade at the end of 2021.

“By the end of 2021, Nigeria’s GDP is likely to approach its 2010 level, thus reversing a full decade of economic growth,” the bank in its new report said.

The World Bank’s projection comes as Nigeria strives to recover from the multiple recession that hit the country in 2016 and 2020.

The bank in the report said that there will be a constant decline in the country’s GDP per capita despite recovery from recession, projecting the country’s population to grow faster than its economy.

The bank further forecasted that despite the country’s gradual recovery from the 2020 recession, Nigerians masses will continue to suffer the adverse effect of the economic downturn.

Applauding Mr Buhari for taking bold steps to reform the country’s deteriorating economic condition, the bank advised the government  to deepen its recent reforms that allows private sector investment for speedy economic recovery.

Nigeria in 2020 experienced its deepest recession in four decades.

The recession was believed to have been triggered by the economic shutdown occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 that same year.

Controversial fiscal and monetary policies of the Buhari administration and the Central Bank were also largely blamed for the recession.

Similarly in 2016, the country under the Mr Buhari regime plunged into recession, the first time since 1987. 

However, the country’s economic growth resumed in the fourth quarter as pandemic restrictions were eased; oil prices rebounded, and the authorities implemented policies 

to counter the economic shock.

The World Bank reports implies that President Buhari since assuming office in 2015, has failed to positively impact the country’s economy which had suffered two record breaking recessions under his watch.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Gov Ododo

States

Tinubu advised me never to negotiate with criminals, Gov Ododo says

“I don’t play with criminals, and I don’t negotiate with them. I can tell you that, as far as Kogi State is concerned, we don’t have a department for ransom payment,” he said.

Pete Hegseth

Heading 1

U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on Iran war: Hegseth

“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Mr Hegseth said.

Toba Ajiboye

Lagos

Slain Lagos NURTW organising secretary buried amid tears

Mr Ajiboye died days after he was attacked by gunmen.

Migrants' boat

Africa

144 refugees, migrants dead, missing off Mauritania coast: UNHCR

“The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe,” the agency said.

Daniel Ortega and Marco Rubio

World

U.S. govt condemns Ortega’s ban on elections in Nicaragua 

Mr Rubio urged the international community to rise against Mr Ortega’s dictatorship.

Oleksandr Syrskyi

World

Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top general after firing defence minister

Mr Syrskyi’s dismissal came days after Mr Zelensky fired Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that sparked protests across the country.