Tinubu's Aide Sparks Outrage: 'No Hunger in Nigeria' Remark Draws Fire
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu, has defended the administration's economic policies, stating he does not personally observe the level of hunger frequently highlighted in public discourse. He cited ongoing government programs and significant infrastructure projects, such as new roads and the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, as evidence of positive impacts on Nigerians. Onanuga also pointed to the student loan scheme and low-interest credit facilities as initiatives easing economic pressures.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has robustly defended President Bola Tinubu's economic policies, asserting that his personal observations do not align with the widespread reports of hunger frequently highlighted in public discourse. During an interview on Arise News Channel, Onanuga emphasized that several government programs and ongoing infrastructure projects are already having positive impacts on Nigerians.
Onanuga cited improvements in road infrastructure as a testament to the administration’s achievements. He recounted a recent trip from Ibadan to Lagos where he diverted through Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode following Google Maps traffic updates. To his surprise, he discovered a newly constructed concrete road along the route, noting that local residents expressed satisfaction with this development. He also highlighted the ongoing Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, stating it has significantly reduced travel time for commuters, including himself, cutting his journey from Ajah to central Lagos from over two hours to approximately one hour.
Questioning criticisms of the government’s performance, the presidential spokesman maintained that these infrastructure projects clearly demonstrate the tangible benefits of the administration’s policies. He further pointed to the Federal Government’s student loan scheme and access to low-interest credit facilities for civil servants as key initiatives aimed at easing economic pressures. According to Onanuga, families with children in tertiary institutions and workers accessing single-digit interest loans are already benefiting from these interventions.
While acknowledging that many Nigerians are facing economic challenges, Onanuga reiterated that his personal interactions with people around him did not reflect the scale of hardship often portrayed in public conversations. He suggested that public discourse tends to overlook some of the significant gains and positive impacts recorded by the Tinubu administration.