The Presidency has defended the performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, insisting that reports portraying Nigeria as overwhelmed by insecurity and economic hardship are exaggerated.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE Television, Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said media reports often create the impression that the entire country is unsafe despite ongoing efforts to tackle security challenges.
According to him, while security breaches still occur in some parts of the country, the situation is not as severe as critics and opposition figures portray.
Onanuga cited personal travel experiences and accounts from other government officials to support his position that many parts of the country remain accessible and relatively secure.
He accused opposition groups of amplifying negative narratives about the administration without offering practical alternatives to address the nation’s challenges.
The presidential spokesman also rejected claims that hunger and poverty have reached unprecedented levels, arguing that government policies are beginning to yield positive results.
He pointed to the implementation of a new minimum wage, student loan initiatives and increased allocations to state governments as evidence that the administration’s economic reforms are having an impact.
According to him, several state governments now have greater financial resources to undertake development projects and improve the welfare of residents.
Onanuga acknowledged that the rising cost of living remains a concern but described the difficulties being experienced by many Nigerians as temporary consequences of economic reforms.
He maintained that the Tinubu administration is introducing measures to cushion the effects of the reforms through various intervention programmes and palliatives.
The presidential aide expressed confidence that the policies being implemented would eventually produce long-term benefits and place the country on a stronger economic footing.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient and optimistic, stating that the government is laying the foundation for sustainable growth and national prosperity.
The comments come amid ongoing public debates over the country’s security situation, rising living costs and the impact of the administration’s economic reforms.
