Haters won’t acknowledge Nigeria’s progress under Tinubu – Presidency
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, defended the administration’s efforts to improve Nigeria, stating that only those with ulterior motives or biases would fail to recognize the strides made since Tinubu took office.
Onanuga’s remarks followed a critical tweet from a user on X, who claimed that Nigeria had seen no significant changes in its economic situation. The user, @finplanKaluAja1, asserted that while government revenues and expenses had risen, the country’s deficit and debt levels had similarly increased.
In response, Onanuga emphasized that there are tangible improvements under the current administration. He pointed out that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has not disrupted academic activities in the last three years and noted that state governors are now able to fulfill their payroll obligations.
Onanuga also highlighted initiatives such as the provision of student loans for university attendees, infrastructure projects including the construction of two major highways connecting coastal states to Badagry, and a growing trade surplus that has bolstered the Central Bank of Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves to a record $54 billion. Furthermore, he mentioned the ability of Nigerians to use their Naira cards for transactions while abroad.
In his defense of deficit financing, Onanuga remarked that such financial practices, when managed appropriately, are not inherently problematic. He cited the United States, which he noted continues to borrow significantly, even with a robust economy, and carries a national debt exceeding $40 trillion.
