President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended his administration’s handling of Nigeria’s economic challenges, stating that hunger did not begin under his government and had existed in the country long before he was born.
The President made the remark while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the clerics raised concerns over the worsening economic hardship and rising cost of living across the country.
Responding to the concerns, Tinubu acknowledged the country’s economic difficulties but maintained that his administration inherited longstanding challenges.
“Before I was born, there was hunger in this country,” the President said, adding that he could not be held responsible for Nigeria’s population growth or the historical problems confronting the nation. He, however, insisted that his government was taking steps to address the inherited challenges through ongoing economic reforms.
Tinubu stressed that his administration would not shy away from difficult decisions aimed at stabilising the economy, arguing that the reforms were necessary to put Nigeria on a path of sustainable growth despite the temporary hardship experienced by citizens.
The President’s comments have since sparked widespread reactions from opposition figures and many Nigerians, with critics arguing that the focus should be on addressing the current realities rather than comparing them with the past.
Among those who responded was former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who described the remark as insensitive to the suffering of millions of Nigerians.
In a statement, Obi said that although hunger had existed for decades, governance should be judged by measurable outcomes rather than historical references.
“I watched with deep concern the statement made by President Bola Tinubu… that there has always been hunger in Nigeria, even before he was born,” Obi said.
He added, “While it is true that hunger has been a part of human life and has existed in our country for decades, such a statement appears insensitive to the plight of the millions of Nigerians who face worsening economic hardship today.”
Obi further argued that food insecurity and extreme poverty had increased under the current administration, urging the Federal Government to prioritise investments in agriculture, education, healthcare, security and small businesses to improve the welfare of Nigerians.