By Abdulrauf Aliyu
Mr. Bayo Onanuga’s defense of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies reads more like a rehearsed script than a grounded analysis of the harsh realities faced by the Nigerian populace. In his fervent attempt to shield the government from legitimate criticism, Onanuga offers a hollow narrative steeped in statistics and ratios, oblivious to the fact that real governance is about people—human lives, struggles, and dignity. It seems that Mr. Onanuga is talking nonsense, lost in a bubble of illusion that has separated him from the lived experiences of ordinary Nigerians.
Let’s unpack his misguided assertions about the economy. He touts the Minister of Finance’s claims that the revenue-to-debt service ratio has declined from 97% to 68% as a sign of economic health. This reduction, Mr. Onanuga, is a poor attempt to sugarcoat a bitter pill. A lower ratio does not reflect a thriving economy; it merely suggests that we are accruing more debt relative to our revenue. In layman’s terms, it means we are still in a precarious financial situation, teetering on the edge of fiscal irresponsibility. This isn’t a success story; it’s a warning siren that should be ringing loudly across the corridors of power.
Furthermore, the claim that Nigeria’s foreign reserves rose to $39.1 billion is simply another hollow statistic that fails to address the reality on the ground. Reserves, while important, do not directly translate into the economic well-being of the average Nigerian. When families are forced to choose between food and healthcare, and when the cost of living escalates to unbearable levels, these figures become irrelevant. It’s astonishing that Mr. Onanuga would rather celebrate numbers than acknowledge the suffering of the people, as if economic success is measured solely by figures on a spreadsheet rather than by the well-being of the citizenry.
Mr. Onanuga and the Tinubu administration seem to be living in a parallel universe where statistics are the only truth. The assertion that GDP growth reached 2.98% in Q1 2024 is yet another example of this disconnect. While economic growth is indeed important, what good is it if it does not translate into jobs, security, and an improved quality of life for Nigerians? The average citizen does not live in a vacuum; they are not simply numbers to be manipulated for political gain. They are real people with real struggles, and it is high time the government recognized this basic truth.
When discussing trade surpluses, Mr. Onanuga fails to ask the critical question: what does this surplus entail for the average Nigerian? Are we merely exporting raw materials while importing finished goods? This approach only perpetuates a cycle of dependency that stifles local manufacturing and innovation. It is akin to running on a treadmill—lots of movement but no actual progress. Mr. Onanuga, this is not a triumph; it is a disgrace.
To advocate for “unity and patience” in the face of escalating economic hardship is to insult the intelligence of the Nigerian people. How long should citizens be expected to endure suffering while the elite revel in their luxury? The current government’s call for understanding sounds less like a sincere plea for solidarity and more like a desperate ploy to maintain the status quo. It is unacceptable for leaders to hide behind rhetoric while failing to deliver the fundamental services and protections that their citizens deserve.
Furthermore, Onanuga’s assertion that The Guardian incites unrest while merely critiquing the government is a flawed argument that misrepresents the essence of journalism. The Guardian’s piece reflects the frustration of a populace that feels betrayed by a government that prioritizes statistics over human dignity. Journalism serves as a mirror to society, and when the reflection reveals pain and suffering, it is the duty of the press to voice these concerns, not to gloss over them with false narratives of progress.
The calls for military intervention, which Onanuga denounces, are not an endorsement of authoritarianism but rather a manifestation of desperation. People are not yearning for military rule out of a desire for chaos; they are driven by a profound sense of betrayal by a system that has failed them. Rather than condemning these sentiments, the government should engage with the realities behind them. Ignoring this social unrest is like playing with fire—eventually, it will consume those who refuse to acknowledge its existence.
Onanuga’s analysis misses a fundamental truth: economic policy should be judged by its impact on human lives, not by abstract ratios and numbers. It is about the families struggling to make ends meet, the children who go to bed hungry, and the youth who are deprived of opportunities. If the government fails to address these pressing human concerns, all the statistical successes in the world will ring hollow. It is time for the administration to rise above numbers and ratios and focus on the people who make up the nation.
In a world where facts and figures can be manipulated to serve any narrative, the true measure of a government’s success is its ability to uplift its citizens. The Nigerian populace deserves leadership that recognizes their struggles and fights for their dignity. Mr. Onanuga’s continued insistence on defending the indefensible only serves to expose a profound ignorance of what governance is meant to achieve. It is time for him—and the administration he defends—to step down from the pedestal of illusion and engage with the harsh realities that Nigerians face every single day.
The moment has arrived for the government to wake up, face the music, and prioritize human well-being over abstract numbers. Until that happens, the criticisms will not only persist; they will grow louder, echoing the calls of a population that has had enough. It is high time for accountability, transparency, and genuine progress to take precedence over the empty rhetoric that has characterized this administration.
Abdulrauf Aliyu Kaduna-based economist and policy analyst
