I Don’t See the Hunger Nigerians Complain About — Tinubu’s Aide

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has said he does not personally observe the level of hunger and hardship frequently described by many Nigerians, insisting that the administration’s policies are already improving lives.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Onanuga pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects and social intervention programmes as evidence of the government’s impact.
He recalled a recent trip from Ibadan to Lagos, explaining that he was impressed by a newly constructed concrete road through the Ijebu-Ode–Shagamu route, which he said has changed the perception of residents in the area.

According to him, the government’s coastal highway project has also significantly reduced travel time for commuters. Using his own experience, he said his journey from Lagos Island to Ajah now takes just over an hour, compared to more than two hours previously.

Onanuga also highlighted the Federal Government’s interest-free student loan scheme and low-interest credit facilities for civil servants, arguing that these initiatives are helping families cope with economic challenges.

He questioned criticisms of the administration’s performance, saying many people ignore the benefits of ongoing projects and policies.

The presidential aide further recalled a viral video from the early days of the Tinubu administration that popularised the phrase “Ebi n pawa o” (“We are hungry”), suggesting that it helped shape the dominant public narrative about the economy.

While acknowledging that many Nigerians are facing economic difficulties, Onanuga maintained that his personal interactions with people around him do not reflect the widespread hunger often portrayed in public discussions.

He said he regularly checks on people working with him and believes many are adapting to the current economic realities despite existing challenges.