Breaking: We Are Hungrier and Impoverished: Nigerians Cry Out Against Tinubu Government
We Are Hungrier and Impoverished: Nigerians Cry Out Against Tinubu Government
By Seigha Dora Ayedi, reporting from Italy for Egbema Egberi Media International
Date: May 31, 2025
Abuja, Nigeria — Across the country, an increasing number of Nigerians are voicing their frustrations and fears over the worsening economic conditions under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Citizens from all walks of life are crying out, saying they are "hungrier and more impoverished" than ever before.
From major cities like Lagos and Abuja to rural communities in the North and oil-rich Niger Delta, the story is the same — rising food prices, skyrocketing transportation costs, and stagnant wages are pushing families deeper into poverty. Many blame the economic policies introduced by the Tinubu-led government, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira.
A Cry for Survival
"I can’t afford a bag of rice anymore. My children go to bed hungry some nights," lamented Mrs. Aisha Lawal, a mother of four in Kaduna. “Things have never been this hard. We are just surviving by the grace of God.”
In Lagos, Okada rider Emeka Obi described how fuel prices have forced him to work longer hours for less profit. “What we earn in a day now cannot buy what it could last year. We’re working like slaves and still cannot feed our families.”
Economic Reforms and Their Fallout
President Tinubu, who came into office in May 2023, implemented bold economic reforms aimed at reviving Nigeria's battered economy and attracting foreign investment. The removal of fuel subsidies and unification of the exchange rate were hailed by some economists as necessary steps.
However, the speed and impact of these changes have left many Nigerians struggling. Inflation hit 33.69% in April 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, with food inflation even higher at over 40%. Unemployment remains high, and small businesses are closing in droves due to operational costs.
Public Reactions and Growing Tension
In recent weeks, social media has exploded with hashtags such as #TinubuHunger, #NigeriansAreSuffering, and #EndHardship, as citizens express outrage and share stories of hardship.
Civil society organizations and labor unions are also speaking up. “The government must act now. Nigerians are suffering. There’s no middle class anymore — only the rich and the desperately poor,” said Comrade Musa Ibrahim of the United Workers’ Front.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued fresh warnings about potential mass protests if the government fails to implement effective relief measures and wage increases.
Government Response
In response to the growing discontent, the presidency has acknowledged the hardship but urged patience. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated, “We understand the pain, but these are necessary sacrifices for long-term gain. The government is rolling out palliatives and implementing targeted interventions for the most vulnerable.”
Yet many Nigerians say the promised palliatives are not reaching them, or are too little, too late.
A Nation at a Crossroads
As discontent grows, the Tinubu administration faces mounting pressure to address the economic pain experienced by millions. While reforms may bear fruit in the long run, Nigerians today are crying out for immediate relief.
"The hunger in the land is real," said Pastor Chukwudi Eze during a Sunday sermon in Enugu. "If something is not done soon, the consequences will be beyond what any of us can imagine."
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