Bayo Onanuga

Author: Gist Correspondent

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has dismissed claims that hunger in Nigeria is as widespread as critics suggest, arguing that many citizens are benefiting from the policies and programmes introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking on a television programme on Tuesday, Onanuga said ongoing infrastructure projects, student loan schemes and low-interest credit facilities for workers are positively impacting the lives of Nigerians.

He cited improvements in road infrastructure as evidence of government efforts yielding results. Recounting a recent trip from Ibadan to Lagos, he said he was impressed by a newly constructed concrete road along the Ijebu-Ode route after diverting from a traffic-congested highway.

According to him, the project has transformed travel conditions and reduced complaints among residents in the area.

Onanuga also highlighted the impact of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, noting that it has significantly reduced travel time for commuters, particularly those living around the Ajah axis of Lagos.

He said journeys that previously took more than two hours now take just over an hour, describing the development as a direct benefit of the administration’s infrastructure agenda.

The presidential aide further pointed to the Federal Government’s student loan programme, saying it has eased financial pressure on families with children in tertiary institutions. He added that civil servants now have access to single-digit interest loans, making credit more affordable.

Onanuga argued that public discussions about the economy often ignore positive developments and focus excessively on hardship narratives.

He recalled a viral video from the early days of the Tinubu administration in which a voice-over suggested widespread hunger after the President attended prayers at the Central Mosque in Lagos, saying the incident helped fuel a perception that has persisted in public discourse.

While acknowledging that economic challenges exist, Onanuga maintained that his personal interactions with Nigerians do not support claims of extreme hunger across the country.

“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 interact with them and regularly ask how they are coping and adjusting,” he said.

He insisted that although many Nigerians face economic difficulties, government interventions are providing relief and should be recognised alongside the challenges.