Tinubu's Associate Claims Not to Notice the Famine Nigerians Are Protesting

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has come out in defense of President Bola Tinubu's economic policies, stating that he does not personally witness the widespread hunger often discussed in public forums.

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During an appearance on Arise Television on Tuesday, Onanuga highlighted the numerous government programmes and infrastructure projects that are currently benefiting citizens nationwide, citing notable improvements in road infrastructure as a visible outcome of the administration's policies.

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Onanuga shared a personal anecdote about a recent trip from Ibadan to Lagos, where he took a detour via Ijebu-Ode and Shagamu, and was struck by the discovery of a newly paved road, exclaiming, "Wow, when was this one built?"

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According to Onanuga, the local residents have responded positively to the new development, with the Ijebu people no longer complaining, thanks to the brand new concrete road that has replaced the old asphalt one.

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The presidential spokesman also mentioned the ongoing coastal highway project, which has significantly reduced travel time for many commuters, including himself, who resides in Ajah and can now reach Lagos in just one hour and seven minutes, down from two hours and 30 minutes.

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Onanuga questioned the validity of criticisms regarding the government's performance, asking, "Is that not beneficial? What are people talking about really?"

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He further emphasized the Federal Government's initiatives, such as the student loan programme and access to low-interest credit facilities for workers, as examples of policies aimed at alleviating financial pressures on Nigerians.

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Onanuga asked rhetorically, "If you are a parent and you have four children in university, and they're able to access federal loan, which is interest free, are they not benefiting? If you are a civil servant and you can access the credit card, very cheap loan at below interest, it is about seven per cent."

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He noted that public conversations about the economy often overlook the gains recorded by the administration, stating, "We have been pigeonholed into certain assumptions, certain conclusions."

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Onanuga recalled a viral video from the early days of the Tinubu administration, which featured a voice-over suggesting widespread hunger among Nigerians, with the phrase "Ebi n pawa o" being used to convey the idea that people are hungry.

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While acknowledging that Nigerians face economic difficulties, Onanuga stated that his personal interactions with people around him do not reflect the level of hardship frequently portrayed in public discussions.

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He said, "I'm a Nigerian, I have people working for me privately, 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?"