The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has said economic hardship and hunger in Nigeria are not as severe as often portrayed, insisting that government interventions and infrastructure projects are making a positive impact on the lives of many citizens.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, Onanuga argued that public discussions about the economy often overlook the benefits Nigerians are deriving from policies and programmes introduced by the Tinubu administration.
According to him, ongoing road construction projects, the Federal Government's student loan scheme, and affordable credit facilities for workers are among initiatives improving the welfare of citizens across the country.
Recalling a recent trip from Ibadan to Lagos, Onanuga said he diverted through Shagamu and Ijebu Ode after Google Maps indicated heavy traffic on his usual route. He noted that he was impressed by the quality of the road infrastructure in the area, describing it as a clear example of government investment in development.
He added that residents and commuters in the area are already enjoying the benefits of the improved road network, which has made transportation easier and more convenient.
The presidential aide also highlighted the impact of the coastal highway project, saying it has significantly reduced travel time for many Lagos residents. Using his personal experience as an example, he said journeys that previously took more than two hours now take about an hour.
Onanuga further pointed to the Federal Government's student loan programme, noting that it has provided relief for many families with children in tertiary institutions by giving them access to interest-free educational loans.
He also cited affordable credit facilities for civil servants, saying workers can now access loans at single-digit interest rates, making it easier to meet financial obligations.
While acknowledging that economic challenges still exist, Onanuga maintained that many Nigerians are benefitting from government policies and programmes.
He argued that conversations about the economy are often shaped by recurring narratives of hardship without adequate recognition of the gains recorded through ongoing interventions.
According to him, his interactions with ordinary Nigerians do not reflect the level of hunger and hardship frequently portrayed in public discourse, stressing that the country's economic realities should be assessed from a broader perspective.