Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has dismissed claims that widespread hunger accurately reflects the realities of life across Nigeria, insisting that millions of citizens are benefiting from the policies and programmes introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, Onanuga argued that the Federal Government’s interventions in infrastructure, education and access to credit have delivered tangible benefits to many Nigerians.
According to him, recent road projects executed by the administration have significantly improved transportation and reduced travel time in several parts of the country.
Recounting a recent trip from Ibadan to Lagos, Onanuga said he was impressed by a newly constructed concrete road along the Ijebu-Ode axis.
“One day I was travelling from Ibadan to Lagos, and Google Maps indicated there was heavy traffic on the approach to Lagos. I decided to take the Ijebu-Ode route through Shagamu, and I suddenly found myself on a well-paved concrete road. I was amazed and wondered when it had been built,” he said.
The presidential aide noted that the development had positively impacted residents in the area, adding that complaints about poor road conditions had reduced considerably.
Onanuga also highlighted the impact of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, stating that it has helped ease traffic congestion and cut travel times for commuters.
“I live in Ajah. Whenever I travel into Lagos and check Google Maps for my estimated arrival time, it now tells me about one hour and seven minutes. Previously, the same journey could take up to two and a half hours. The coastal road has significantly reduced travel time,” he said.
“Is that not beneficial? What exactly are people complaining about?”
Beyond infrastructure, Onanuga pointed to the Federal Government’s student loan programme and low-interest credit facilities for civil servants as evidence that government policies are yielding positive results.
“If you are a parent with children in higher institutions who can access interest-free student loans, are you not benefiting?” he asked.
“If you are a civil servant and can obtain loans at a single-digit interest rate of about seven per cent, are you not benefiting as well?”
The presidential spokesman argued that public discourse has increasingly focused on negative narratives while overlooking progress recorded in key sectors.
Referencing a viral video from the early days of the Tinubu administration, Onanuga recalled an incident in which a video of the President leaving a mosque in Lagos was accompanied by a voice-over claiming Nigerians were hungry.
“Since then, that narrative has continued to dominate public discussions,” he said.
While acknowledging the economic challenges facing many citizens, Onanuga maintained that his personal observations and interactions do not support claims of the level of hardship often portrayed in public debates.
“I am a Nigerian. I have people working for me privately, and I constantly ask them how they are coping and adjusting. Personally, I do not see the level of hunger that people often talk about,” he stated.
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