Onanuga Slams ‘Wrong, Blind’ Critics of Tinubu’s Economy Amid Rising Poverty Concerns
Abuja, Nigeria – Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has launched a strong defence of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, branding opposition politicians who claim the administration is underperforming as “wrong and blind.” His comments come amidst contrasting reports from international bodies that highlight a significant rise in poverty and food insecurity in Nigeria.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Mr. Onanuga asserted that “Nigeria’s economy under the reforming presidency of Bola Tinubu demonstrates resilience and prospects of growth.” He directly challenged critics, stating, “President Tinubu is not doing well, he is not governing Nigeria well, so claim the desperate opposition. But the data is showing that they are wrong and blind.”
Onanuga further claimed that “Big money has taken adequate notice and the owners are heading to Nigeria to invest their funds, according to Cardinal Stone,” as evidence of the economy’s positive trajectory under Tinubu’s reforms.
However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a newly adopted party in a political coalition, dismissed engaging in personal attacks. Bolaji Abdullahi, interim spokesperson for the ADC, stated, “ADC doesn’t respond to personal attacks. As a matter of policy, we don’t respond to personal attacks.”
Abdullahi emphasized the party’s readiness to engage in substantive debates with the government on critical issues. “If a spokesperson for the government has something to say or to debate on the issues we are raising, which is poverty in Nigeria and the policies of the government that have created it, we are ready to talk. But with all these abuses, we don’t have time for them. I’m sorry,” he added.
The optimistic outlook presented by the presidency appears to be at odds with recent analyses from international organizations. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), while lauding the administration’s economic policies, noted that poverty and insecurity had risen under Mr. Tinubu’s leadership.
Further compounding concerns, the World Bank’s Africa Pulse report of April 2025 starkly revealed that Nigeria, under Mr. Tinubu, currently holds the regrettable distinction of having the highest number of extremely poor people globally. The report also issued a grim warning that more Nigerians would be plunged into poverty by 2027.
Economically, despite inflation reportedly dropping to 23.7 percent after the economy was rebased from a previous 34 percent, Nigeria recorded the largest increase in acute food insecurity globally in 2024. This alarming statistic was highlighted in the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, a collaborative publication by the Global Network Against Food Crises, the Food Security Information Network, and UNICEF.
The conflicting narratives underscore a significant disconnect between the government’s perception of economic progress and the challenging realities faced by many Nigerians, as evidenced by various socio-economic indicators and international reports.
