Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, has disagreed with claims that Nigerians are facing extreme levels of hunger, saying the situation is not as severe as portrayed by critics of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Onanuga said many Nigerians are benefiting from government policies and infrastructure projects, arguing that positive developments across the country are often overlooked in public discussions.
Speaking about his experience while travelling from Ibadan to Lagos, the presidential aide said he was impressed by the quality of a newly constructed road he encountered through Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu.
He said the development had changed the perception of residents in the area, adding that improved infrastructure was one of the ways government policies were impacting citizens.
Onanuga also praised the coastal highway project, saying it had significantly reduced travel time for residents, including himself, who lives in Ajah, Lagos.
According to him, his journey to Lagos, which previously took over two hours, has become shorter due to the new road network.
The presidential spokesman questioned why such improvements were not considered when assessing the performance of the government.
He further cited the federal student loan scheme and access to low-interest credit facilities for civil servants as examples of policies benefiting Nigerians.
Onanuga said parents with children in universities and workers who can access affordable loans are among those gaining from government interventions.
He noted that public conversations about the economy have largely focused on hardship while ignoring some of the changes taking place under the current administration.
Recalling a viral video from the early days of the Tinubu government, where a voice-over suggested Nigerians were hungry, Onanuga said the narrative had influenced public perception about the country’s situation.
He, however, acknowledged that economic challenges exist but maintained that his personal interactions with Nigerians do not reflect the level of hunger often discussed.
“I don’t see the level of hunger people are talking about because I see them, and I keep asking them questions: how are things, how are they adjusting, what are the problems?” he said.
