I Don’t See the Hunger Nigerians Complain About — Onanuga Defends Tinubu’s Policies
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has defended the administration’s economic policies, stating that he does not personally observe the level of hunger and hardship often portrayed in public discussions.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, Onanuga argued that several government programmes and infrastructure projects are already having a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.
According to him, major road projects executed by the Federal Government are among the visible benefits of the Tinubu administration. He recalled a recent trip from Ibadan to Lagos, during which he discovered a newly constructed concrete road while taking an alternative route through Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu.
“One day, I was travelling from Ibadan to Lagos, and Google Maps told me there was a traffic gridlock on the approach to Lagos. I decided to take the Ijebu-Ode route via Sagamu.
“What struck me most was that I suddenly found myself on a paved concrete road. I said, ‘Wow, when was this built?’” he said.
Onanuga noted that residents of the area appeared satisfied with the development, adding that the road had significantly improved transportation in the region.
“I found that our people, the Ijebu people, have stopped complaining. I realised they now have a brand-new road, not just an asphalt road but a concrete one,” he added.
The presidential spokesman also highlighted the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, saying it has reduced travel time for many commuters, including himself.
“I live in Ajah. Anytime I travel into Lagos and ask Google Maps how long it will take me to get home, it now says one hour and seven minutes. Before, it was about two hours and 30 minutes. The reason is that we now have a coastal road that has shortened travel time,” he said.
Questioning criticism of the government’s performance, Onanuga asked, “Is that not beneficial? What are people talking about, really?”
He further cited the Federal Government’s student loan scheme and access to low-interest credit facilities for civil servants as examples of policies designed to ease economic pressures on citizens.
“If you are a parent with four children in university and they can access federal loans that are interest-free, are they not benefiting?
“If you are a civil servant and can access a credit facility at a single-digit interest rate of about seven per cent, are you not benefiting as well?” he asked.
Onanuga maintained that discussions about the economy often overlook some of the gains recorded under the current administration.
“We have been pigeonholed into certain assumptions and conclusions,” he said.
The presidential aide also referenced a viral video from the early days of Tinubu’s administration, in which a voice-over repeatedly lamented widespread hunger in the country.
“I think the President was returning from the Central Mosque in Lagos when someone added a voice-over saying, ‘Ebi n pawa o,’ meaning ‘we are hungry.’ Since then, people have continued repeating that narrative,” he said.
While acknowledging that Nigerians are facing economic challenges, Onanuga insisted that his personal experiences and interactions do not reflect the level of hardship frequently depicted in public discourse.
“I am a Nigerian. I have people working for me privately, and I interact with them regularly. I keep asking them how things are, how they are adjusting, and what challenges they face.
“I don’t see the level of hunger people are talking about,” he stated.
His remarks have since generated reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing differing views on the state of the economy and the impact of the government’s policies on everyday life.