President Muhammadu Buhari is confident his administration can draw inspiration from countries such as China to kickstart the lifting of over 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

Buhari made the remarks in his Democracy Day address in Abuja, an event attended by various African leaders.

“With leadership and a sense of purpose, we can lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years,” President Buhari said.

“This task is by no means unattainable. China has done it. India has done it. Indonesia has done it. Nigeria can do it. These are all countries characterized by huge burdens of population,” he added.

Around 90 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty, according to estimates from the World Data Lab’s Poverty Clock.

The West African nation in June 2018 overtook India, a country with seven times its population, as the country with the largest number of people living in extreme poverty.

In his speech on Wednesday, President Buhari expressed confidence that his administration had made progress in improving the country’s economy, security and the war on graft.

“Our Government will continue work to reduce social and economic inequality through targeted social investment programs, education, technology and improved information,” the president said.

The 76-year-old also took the opportunity to announce a name-change for the Abuja National Stadium.

“Today, I propose the re-naming of the Abuja National Stadium. Henceforth it will be called Moshood Abiola National Stadium,” he said.

Some of the African leaders that attended the Nigeria Democracy Day include Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Liberia’s George Weah, African union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat among others.