Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, has questioned persistent claims of widespread hunger across Nigeria, arguing that many citizens are already benefiting from key policies and programmes introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, Onanuga maintained that while economic challenges exist, the narrative portraying extreme hardship across the country does not align with what he personally observes. He pointed to several government initiatives, including infrastructure development, student loans, and affordable credit facilities for workers, as evidence that the administration is making a positive impact on citizens’ lives.
According to him, recent road construction projects have significantly improved transportation and travel experiences for many Nigerians. He recounted a recent trip from Ibadan to Lagos, during which he diverted through the Ijebu-Ode route after receiving traffic updates from Google Maps.
Onanuga said he was surprised to discover a newly constructed concrete road along the route, describing it as a major improvement that has transformed travel conditions in the area.
He noted that residents of Ijebuland appear more satisfied with the infrastructure available to them, suggesting that the new road has reduced some of the complaints previously expressed by members of the community.
The presidential aide also highlighted the impact of the ongoing coastal highway project, particularly for residents commuting into Lagos. Using his personal experience, he explained that travel times between Ajah and other parts of Lagos have reduced considerably due to improvements in road infrastructure.
According to him, journeys that previously took more than two hours can now be completed in just over an hour, a development he described as a direct benefit of government investment in transportation infrastructure.
Beyond road projects, Onanuga cited the Federal Government’s student loan programme as another initiative easing the burden on Nigerian families. He argued that parents with multiple children in tertiary institutions are benefiting from interest-free education loans that help cover educational expenses.
He also pointed to affordable credit schemes for civil servants, noting that workers can now access loans at single-digit interest rates, making financing more accessible and affordable.
Onanuga stressed that many of the administration’s achievements are often overlooked because public discussions tend to focus overwhelmingly on negative narratives. He said Nigerians have become accustomed to certain assumptions about the country’s economic situation without giving sufficient attention to ongoing improvements.
Reflecting on the early days of the Tinubu administration, he referenced a viral video in which the President was leaving a mosque in Lagos and a voice-over repeatedly suggested that Nigerians were hungry. According to Onanuga, the phrase gained traction and has since become a recurring theme in public conversations about the economy.
While acknowledging that some citizens are facing economic difficulties, he insisted that his personal interactions with people around him do not support the view that hunger has reached the alarming levels frequently portrayed in public discourse.
“I don’t see the level of hunger people are talking about,” Onanuga said, adding that he regularly engages with people working around him and often asks how they are coping with current economic realities.
The presidential spokesman concluded that although challenges remain, the Tinubu administration’s programmes and infrastructure projects are delivering tangible benefits that should be recognized alongside concerns about the country’s economic conditions.
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