ActionAid Nigeria has described President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day speech as a repetition of past unfulfilled promises and reforms, arguing that despite claims of economic progress, the reality for millions of Nigerians is worsening hardship.
In a statement issued by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, the NGO highlighted the severe impact of the administration’s policies on the nation’s poor, particularly citing fuel subsidy removal, rising inflation, and escalating insecurity.
Mamedu lamented that the President’s reforms have exacerbated poverty and inequality, leaving Nigerians struggling to afford basic necessities. “How long must Nigerians sacrifice?” Mamedu asked, criticizing the administration’s failure to address key issues such as inflation and the exchange rate, which continue to erode the purchasing power of ordinary citizens.
He noted that the removal of the fuel subsidy in May 2024 has triggered unsustainable fuel prices, driving up the costs of transportation, food production, and energy, with no relief in sight for the average Nigerian. The statement further compared Tinubu’s policies to those of past regimes, warning that the current economic trajectory mirrors the disastrous policies of the Abacha era.
ActionAid also condemned the government’s inadequate response to insecurity, particularly in the Northwest, where banditry has left communities in fear and devastation. Mamedu criticized the President’s failure to address this ongoing crisis in his speech, calling for swift action to protect vulnerable Nigerians.
The NGO stressed that Nigerians are growing increasingly frustrated with the administration’s inaction, as public protests and social media outcry intensify. “Nigerians need more than promises,” Mamedu stated, urging the government to implement reforms that reflect the lived realities of citizens and promote inclusivity, equity, and sustainability in governance. ActionAid vowed to stand in solidarity with the people, demanding that the government listen and act in the true interest of the nation.
