The Nigerian Presidency has rejected suggestions that the country is falling apart, saying such claims are exaggerated and not based on the true state of things.

In a statement issued on Friday, August 8, Sunday Dare — President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications — strongly disagreed with an editorial titled “Nigeria is Collapsing under Tinubu’s Watch.” He said the piece gave a misleading view of Nigeria’s economy and only stirred up unnecessary fear among citizens.

Although Dare admitted that the country is facing economic challenges, he explained that the situation is not as bad as it is being painted. For instance, the widely mentioned report that 33 million Nigerians could face hunger was described as a forecast by the Cadre Harmonisé — not a definite reality.

He stressed that while criticism of the government is welcome, it should be based on facts and not on creating panic. According to him, the editorial ignored several government efforts meant to ease the hardship people are experiencing.

Dare pointed to recent steps taken by the government such as releasing grains from storage, giving farmers support, and sending money to the most vulnerable Nigerians through cash transfer programmes.

He also mentioned some early improvements that show reforms are working — including a more stable exchange rate between the naira and the dollar. He added that coming changes in tax policies and social welfare systems are likely to bring better results by 2026.