Many Nigerians have been worried about the economy and rising poverty, especially with global reports painting a gloomy picture. But the Nigerian Presidency says people should not only focus on these negative statistics. According to them, the changes brought by President Tinubu’s government are starting to improve things.
Some people have said that life has become harder under President Tinubu. But his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, doesn’t agree. He said the data behind these claims might not be fully reliable or accurate.
Onanuga pointed out that inflation has indeed increased, but this is expected for a short time because of the major economic reforms the government has made. These changes are meant to fix the economy in the long run. He gave an example that food items like rice and beans are now getting cheaper, which shows that the government’s work in agriculture is paying off.
To help the poor, the government has started different programmes. One of them is the Conditional Cash Transfer programme. This gives money directly to families that need help the most.
He added that the government has a full plan to make sure everyone benefits from the reforms. A big part of this plan is investing more in agriculture to grow more food and bring down food prices.
Onanuga also highlighted some positive signs in the economy. He said inflation is slowly getting better, foreign reserves are growing, and Nigeria is seeing trade profits. Government earnings have also increased, with over N6 trillion made in just the first quarter. States are now receiving more money, which helps them pay salaries and debts. He also said the stock market has gone up a lot—from 50,000 points to over 110,000 in two years.
Money that used to be spent on fuel subsidies and foreign exchange issues is now being used for important roads and infrastructure. Projects like the Sokoto-Badagry and Lagos-Calabar highways are now being built. These will help the economy grow and provide more jobs.
While there are still many problems, Onanuga said the government is working every day to fix both short-term and long-term economic issues.
He reminded everyone that solving poverty and hunger isn’t just the government’s job. Businesses and wealthier people in the community should also step in to help those who are struggling. This follows the African tradition of supporting each other.
In conclusion, Onanuga encouraged Nigerians not to be discouraged by international reports. He said real improvements are happening, and the reforms are needed for Nigeria’s future. According to him, the benefits are already starting to show.
