Nigeria: “I don’t see the level of hunger Nigerians complain about” — Onanuga
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga says he does not see the widespread hunger that critics describe, arguing that many Nigerians are benefiting from President Bola Tinubu’s policies.
Speaking on Arise Television on June 24 2026, Onanuga cited infrastructure projects, student loans, and low-interest credit for civil servants as evidence of progress.
He recalled a recent trip from Ibadan to Lagos where he found a new concrete road around the Ijebu-Ode axis. “I just found myself on a paved road, concrete road. I said, ‘Wow, when was this one built?’ I found that our Ijebu people have stopped complaining,” he said.
Onanuga also pointed to the coastal highway, saying it has cut his travel time from Ajah to Lagos from 2 hours 30 minutes to about 1 hour 7 minutes. “Is that not beneficial? What are people talking about really?”
He highlighted the federal student loan scheme and civil servant credit facilities. “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 a cheap loan at below 7% interest, are they not benefiting as well?”
Onanuga said public discourse has been shaped by assumptions since a viral video early in Tinubu’s administration showed the President leaving a Lagos mosque with a voice-over saying “Ebi n pawa o” — “we are hungry”.
“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 stated.
His comments come amid ongoing debate over Tinubu’s economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and forex liberalisation. The government says the reforms are painful but necessary for long-term sustainability, while critics point to rising living costs.
