₦airaland Forum

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu appears detached from the people he leads. Despite his self-declared situational awareness of all things Nigerian, some of his officials seem to be shielding him from the harsh realities of the biting hardship in Nigeria. This explains why some of the President’s claims in his 65th Independence Day broadcast on October 1 are being subjected to intense scrutiny.

Virtually all countries have experienced some form of social, economic, and technological progress over the last 65 years, and Nigeria cannot be an exception. However, the last two years have seen a sharp decline in living conditions for most Nigerians.

According to the President, his administration has turned the corner and “the worst is over for Nigeria.” He added that yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief on several fronts. Yet, this assertion seems to be a stretch.

As the President rightly observed, the accurate measure of Nigeria’s success should not be limited to economic statistics alone, “but rather in the food on our families’ tables, the quality of education our children receive, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities.”

Currently, these indices remain low in Nigeria. Hence, the worst is not over yet.

Tinubu stated that Nigerians now have access to better education and health care than in 1960. At Independence, he said, Nigeria had 120 secondary schools with a student population of about 130,000. By 2024, that number had grown to more than 23,000 secondary schools—a great leap in 65 years!

He reminded Nigerians that at Independence, the country had only two tertiary institutions: the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology. By the end of 2024, there were 274 universities, 183 polytechnics, and 236 colleges of education, comprising federal, state, and private institutions.

However, the main issue is not the increase in the number of institutions but their ability to fulfil their mandates. Nigerian universities consistently rank low in the Webometrics table. Besides, the quality of output matters greatly. In some public schools, pupils still learn in classrooms without roofs and sit on bare floors.

University staff unions frequently strike over poor pay and inadequate facilities. The Federal Government has failed to honour a N1.2 trillion Memorandum of Understanding with ASUU to revitalise universities since 2009. The true measure of any government’s achievements lies in the quality of life of the people, not merely in numbers.

The health sector tells a similar story. Although there are more health institutions, the quality of healthcare remains poor. Most public hospitals lack basic equipment necessary for diagnosing and treating ailments. The doctor-to-patient ratio is 3.9 per 10,000, far below the prescribed global minimum.

If the healthcare system were functioning well, the Nigerian elite would not be spending between $1 billion and $1.6 billion annually on medical tourism.

In addition, over 60 per cent of Nigerian doctors would not be working abroad, and those remaining would not frequently strike.

It is heartening that foreign reserves have increased to $42.03 billion—the highest since 2019—thanks to forex reforms.

However, the Excess Crude Account is badly depleted, falling from over $2 billion in 2015 to just $535,823.39 in August. Despite lower oil prices, the ECA was as high as $20 billion in 2008.


The drop in the ECA balance in recent years is due to frequent government raids. In an economic recession, Nigeria would normally rely on the ECA, which this government should revive.

The President proudly noted a GDP growth of 4.23 per cent in the second quarter of 2025. His administration also swiftly surpassed its 2025 non-oil revenue target, achieving over N20 trillion by August.

But what about the manufacturing sector? It slowed to 1.60 per cent growth in Q2 2025, with its GDP share dropping to 7.81 per cent from 8.01 per cent in Q2 2024. What efforts have been made to revive the textile industry?

Sadly, many Nigerians rely heavily on imported clothes. In 2024, textile imports cost Nigeria N726 billion, up 92 per cent from the N377 billion recorded in 2023 following the naira devaluation.

While certain macroeconomic indicators are trending upward, the impact on ordinary lives remains questionable. What is the average wage? Can a professor adequately feed a family of six on today’s earnings? The N70,000 minimum monthly wage is a pittance after the naira devaluation.

In 2020, GDP per capita was $2,019.66; by December 2024, it had dropped significantly to $835.49, a 58.6 per cent decline.

High inflation has disrupted everything and left Nigerians in misery. Tinubu celebrated inflation’s decline to 20.12 per cent in August 2025, the lowest level in three years.

In comparison, the inflation rate in the Benin Republic was 1.0 per cent in July, rising slightly to 1.30 per cent in August. The Consumer Price Index there decreased 0.50 per cent in August compared to July.

Although the naira has stabilised somewhat from the volatility of 2023 and 2024, it remains weak.

At the start of the Fourth Republic in 1999, the exchange rate was N21.89 to $1. When Tinubu took office in May 2023, it was about N460.72 to $1. Today, it stands at around N1,500 to $1. This has severely impacted businesses, many of which have closed, resulting in significant job losses.

In the power sector, little has been done to ensure constant electricity as generation remains a dismal 5,000MW, while peers like Egypt do 10 times that, and the national grid continues to collapse. Tinubu has only raised tariffs to bridge government deficits.

Infrastructure development has been suboptimal, despite the President’s claims of expanded transport infrastructure across rail, roads, airports, and seaports. Many federal roads desperately need repairs or complete reconstruction.

In agriculture, Nigeria still imports basic food while exporting raw commodities.

Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria now exports more than it imports is a half-truth. The reality is that many Nigerians cannot afford to import due to prohibitive costs and a high exchange rate. Only a handful can manage it.


The country remains under siege from criminals, although Tinubu asserts that it is winning the war against terrorism, banditry, and violent crimes. He noted that peace has returned to many liberated communities in the North-West and North-East.

The truth is that the government has largely failed to secure Nigerians. Terrorism has surged, especially in the North-East and North-Central. New terror groups like Lakurawa and Mahmuda exemplify this with increasing forays southwards into states like Kwara.

From May 2023 to April 2024, the National Bureau of Statistics reported 614,937 deaths in Nigeria. Between January and March 2025 alone, about 2,000 Nigerians were killed in violent incidents nationwide.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum lamented that terrorists now attack and kidnap people almost daily in many communities. Millions have been displaced.

Primarily, it is political officeholders who maintain a good standard of living—perhaps this is what is confusing the President and his speechwriters.

The President should realise that no one grades their own exams. It is futile to benchmark his achievements against the Muhammadu Buhari administration. He should instead compare his administration to that of Olusegun Obasanjo.

Nigeria should benchmark itself against countries like Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia, which also began their development journey around 1960.

The essence of government is to ensure the welfare of its citizens. Any policy or macroeconomic growth that does not improve the lives of the people is worthless.

Source https://punchng.com/is-the-worst-over-in-nigeria/

When we thought the worst is being over, fuel is now N905 in Abuja, in Lagos it will become N865 before the day ends. No cooking gas now. Poverty and hardship on the rise.

Yes, I believe for Nigeria.. but no, for Nigerians...

Understand the difference btw the two words

Shey na worst ever you won write abi worst over? I no understand

I love Nigeria. Nigeria is blessed, but Nigerians don't want Nigeria to work. Leaders and followers are the same on different levels and places.

The worst is over doesn't translate to everything is now rosy. It means the country is back from the brink of absolute bankruptcy and positioned for more growth and more development.

We never see anything

When we are ready to deal with these politicians, e get one wey I dey eye.... I go too beat this man ehn

The problem with nigeria is that for over 60 years, we have been living in a fake reality, and even now, including those who rule over us right now, still live in that fake reality.

I would have said more, but as the old proverb says...the truth will set one free, but first it would p*** you off.

Ah well, it is sad that we don't have ...good afternoon

A D7 student will still grade himself better than those that had E8 in their exams.
That's the situation of this Administration

Tinubu does not even have the faintest idea of why he sought political office except emilokanism.

Three kinds of Nigerians on this site

those who believe tinubu is doing a good job...and close their eyes to the bad job he is doing

those who believe that if Obi takes over, corruption will dissapear and Naira will become N1 to 1 dollar

those who want to break up the country, because it means somehow they get to live like Dubai.



Those who see the big picture are few....but everyone else calls them agbado and obident....

Nigerians don't loose hope yet. This mu-mu ticket would favour all

They keep trying to paint a picture that Tinubu’s officials are shielding him from the realities. Like, didn’t he know about the Benue massacre and keep quiet until VDM covered it, and even the pope condemned it from thousands of kilometers away?

Yes I have the faith that the worst is over for me in Nigeria. But to the pessimist, I don't know for them.

The reality is what happens to the average Nigerian on daily basis. The economy is nothing to write about and insecurity is everywhere. No night life anymore. This is the worst of it all and the future doesn't look bright either

The more you look, the lesser you see, thr more confused you become..

One day, everybody will give account of how we have contributed to how this country has fared thus far, both with our actions of compromise and inactions of ignorance ..

The worst has just begun ni o. Fuel increase, Gas increase, Hope we are not doomed as a nation Bayi?

We know the problem of Nigeria. Sincere people can stand up to challenge it.

The thing is, there should be punishments and regulations for leaders and policy officers.

Our focus is to make the government transparent and stronghold rules.

The elites at the top need real scrutinizing!

After dis, we can be talking of innovations and productive projects.

treesun:
Source https://punchng.com/is-the-worst-over-in-nigeria/

When one is fixated on negatives, this is the kind of rubbish one can conjure.

Truth be told, Punch is the most trustworthy of Nigeria's old generation mainstream media but this editorial is definitely sponsored by Bayo Onanuga notwithstanding the failed attempt at appearing independent.

Let us suffer small maybe some ppl who feed from their nyash might have some sense

Very true analysis. Unfortunately, the warring e-bots of our selfish/greedy/heartless leadership will still find ways to abuse the narrative.

treesun:
Source https://punchng.com/is-the-worst-over-in-nigeria/

Only the PUNCH says it as it is.

Other news outlets only dance to the discordant drumbeats of Emilokan.

Reforms without a clear direction, and human face is incompetence and mediocrity passed off as strategy.

You don't need no prophet to tell you that this administration is groping in a dark room looking for the door. They have no concrete blueprint nor direction.

HeavenlyHolines:
I love Nigeria. Nigeria is blessed, but Nigerians don't want Nigeria to work. Leaders and followers are the same on different levels and places.

Oddly enough, I have same sentiment and it feels weird amidst all the complaining.
What do you love about Nigeria?

iwaeda:
When we thought the worst is being over, fuel is now N905 in Abuja, in Lagos it will become N865 before the day ends. No cooking gas now. Poverty and hardship on the rise.

You cheered pengassan and expect cheap fuel and cheap gas??

Goan collect your cheap gas from pengassan.

We told you you guys that thier action will have direct impact on the masses but una refused to listen

This world (earth) is a mistake. No one should have been in existence. The creator of this world is wicked.

He or she just created this world for suffering and the greedy people are promoting his work by amassing wealth to themselves why other people are suffering.

Wicked creator. Wicked creatures. Wicked everything. Wicked countries. Wicked president. Wicked governors. Wicked neighbors. Wicked boys and girls. This world is a big prison for all kind of wickedness.

I always tell people who care to listen that the masses are the major problem of Nigeria. Just watch, another election year will soon come and you'll still see some mu-mu voters selling their votes......The money wey you collect the last time nai still dey sustain you till now?

They always tell us to be patient but what these mu-mu voters don't know is that the families of these politicians ain't feeling the hardship.

God will make everything NEW.The Evil people behind insecurity ,bloodshed shall see the gods wrath

I wanted to price something yesterday and i heard someone pricing crate of eggs and i heard 6800
I didnt even what to think again