ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has defended the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, stating that he does not personally observe the level of hunger often portrayed in public discussions.
Speaking on Arise Television on Tuesday, Onanuga said several government programmes and infrastructure projects were already having a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.
He pointed to improvements in road infrastructure as one of the visible achievements of the administration, recounting a recent journey from Ibadan to Lagos.
“One day, I was traveling from Ibadan to Lagos, and Google Maps told me that there’s a go-slow in the approach to Lagos, and I decided to take Ijebu-Ode via Shagamu.
“What struck me most was that I just found myself on a paved road, concrete road. I said, ‘Wow, when was this one built?’”
According to him, residents of the area have responded positively to the development.
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“I found that our people, I mean, our Ijebu people, have stopped complaining. I said, ‘Oh, no wonder they now have a brand new road that’s not just an asphalt road, a concrete road,’” he added.
Onanuga also cited the ongoing coastal highway project, saying it has significantly reduced travel time for many commuters, including himself.
“I live in Ajah. Anytime I go to Lagos, and I ask Google Maps to tell me how soon I will get home, Google Maps will tell me one hour, seven minutes. Before, it was two hours, 30 minutes, and the reason for that is that we now have a coastal road that has shortened my travel time,” he said.
Questioning criticism of the administration’s performance, he added, “Is that not beneficial? What are people talking about really?”
The presidential aide further highlighted the Federal Government’s student loan scheme and access to low-interest credit facilities for workers as policies designed to ease economic pressures on citizens.
“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. Now people can access that loan at single digit. Are they not benefiting as well?” he asked.
Onanuga maintained that public conversations about the economy often fail to acknowledge some of the gains recorded by the administration.
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“We have been pigeonholed into certain assumptions, certain conclusions,” he said.
He also recalled a viral video from the early days of the Tinubu administration that featured a voice-over suggesting widespread hunger among Nigerians.
“I think the President went to Lagos, he was coming from the Central Mosque, and somebody now did a voice-over saying ‘Ebi n pawa o,’ and that means we are hungry. Since then, people have been saying that,” he said.
While acknowledging that Nigerians are facing economic challenges, Onanuga said his personal interactions do not reflect the level of hardship often depicted in public discourse.
“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?” he said.