The opposition party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticised the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the reported rise in Nigeria’s poverty rate to 63 percent shows that the administration’s approach has not improved citizens’ welfare. The party said the figure reflects the growing hardship faced by many Nigerians in recent years.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC argued that the rise in poverty has been strongly linked to the removal of petrol subsidy. According to the party, the decision triggered higher fuel and transport costs, which in turn increased the prices of food and other essential goods.

The party also questioned the government’s earlier promise that funds saved from the subsidy removal would be redirected to sectors such as health and education. ADC claimed that, several years later, many Nigerians are yet to see noticeable improvements in those areas.

The party further cited surveys suggesting widespread dissatisfaction among citizens about the direction of the economy. It added that the true measure of any economic policy should be its impact on ordinary people, stressing that many households continue to struggle with rising living costs.