President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration against criticisms over the country’s economic hardship, insisting that hunger in Nigeria predates his presidency and that the nation’s rapidly growing population is beyond his control.
Speaking in a video that surfaced on Tuesday, the President said hunger has long been a challenge in Nigeria, stressing that it did not begin under his administration.
“Before I was born, there was hunger in Nigeria. I have no control over the population,” Tinubu said while addressing concerns over the country’s economic situation.
The President argued that the country’s rising population has placed enormous pressure on available resources, making it difficult for any government to meet the growing demands for food, jobs and social services.
Tinubu maintained that his administration is implementing economic reforms aimed at stabilising the economy, boosting agricultural production and improving food security, despite the short-term hardships Nigerians are experiencing.
His remarks have since sparked mixed reactions on social media, with supporters arguing that he was highlighting Nigeria’s long-standing structural challenges, while critics accused the President of deflecting responsibility for the current cost-of-living crisis.
The comments come amid persistent public concerns over soaring food prices, inflation and declining purchasing power, issues that have dominated national discourse in recent months.
