Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has disputed claims regarding the severity of hunger in Nigeria, asserting that many citizens are actively experiencing the positive results of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies. During a Tuesday appearance on Arise Television, Onanuga highlighted specific infrastructure improvements and financial programs as clear indicators of progress.
He pointed to the construction of durable concrete roads, such as the route near Ijebu-Ode, as a major development that has alleviated travel frustrations. Furthermore, he noted his own experience in Ajah, where the completion of a coastal road has cut his commute time to Lagos by more than half, dropping from two and a half hours to just over one hour.
Beyond infrastructure, Onanuga defended federal initiatives including the interest-free student loan scheme and low-interest credit facilities available to civil servants. He argued that these programs provide essential support to families and workers, suggesting that public discourse is often unfairly shaped by persistent, unverified narratives about hardship rather than actual policy outcomes.
While acknowledging the ongoing debate over the economic consequences of removing fuel subsidies and liberalizing the foreign exchange market, the presidential aide maintained that his personal interactions with staff and others do not align with the extreme accounts of deprivation frequently shared by critics. He suggested that such rhetoric has become a recurring theme since the early days of the current administration.
