This study examined poverty as a disaster and its socioeconomic among rural households in Fakai Local Government Area (LGA), Kebbi State, Nigeria. A survey research design was employed with a sample of 263 rural household heads selected via convenience and multistage sampling. Demographic characteristics included predominantly male-headed households (78.3%), average household size of 9–12 persons, and heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture. Participants responded to a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic data, poverty indicators (multidimensional poverty index components), and socioeconomic outcomes (income, food security, education access, health, and asset ownership). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (simple linear and multiple regression) at the 0.05 significance level. Two hypotheses were tested. The multiple regression model for poverty dimensions (income poverty, food insecurity, limited access to education/health, and asset deprivation) accounted for a substantial proportion of variance in overall socioeconomic well-being (R = 0.812, R² = 0.659, Adjusted R² = 0.648), explaining about 65.9% of observed differences. Income poverty emerged as the strongest negative predictor (β = –0.385; t = –6.92, p < .05). Food insecurity (β = –0.245; t = –4.18, p < .05), limited educational access (β = –0.198; t = –3.45, p < .05), and health deprivation (β = –0.162; t = –2.87, p < .05) also significantly predicted poorer socioeconomic outcomes. In addition, the severity of poverty as a “disaster” (measured via shock exposure, chronic deprivation, and coping failure) significantly influenced household socioeconomic status (β = 0.674, t = 10.85, p < .05), explaining 45.5% of the variance. The study concludes that poverty functions as a slow-onset disaster that erodes livelihoods, deepens vulnerability, and constrains human development among rural households in Fakai LGA. It recommends targeted poverty-reduction interventions, agricultural resilience programmes, improved access to basic services, and livelihood diversification support by the Kebbi State Government and Nigerian development partners.