Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, says Nigerians may not yet feel the full impact of ongoing economic reforms because growth is slow, steady, and consistent. Speaking on Arise TV Prime News on Tuesday, Bwala attributed the country's economic hardship to its large population and limited resources. He stated the population exceeds 230 million while government revenue remains insufficient to meet demands. According to Bwala, growth will be gradual, and expectations should be tempered accordingly. He defended the administration's policies, asserting that increased federal allocations to states are already yielding results. These allocations, he said, are enabling state governments to deliver services and create tangible impact. Bwala cited examples where states have implemented programmes to combat hunger through food distribution and provision of agricultural materials. He also referenced federal initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has over one million beneficiaries, many from low-income families. The compressed natural gas (CNG) transport initiative and healthcare subsidies for procedures like cesarean sections and dialysis were also highlighted. Bwala maintained these policies are primarily benefiting poor and vulnerable citizens. He acknowledged public concerns over the pace of change but reiterated that reforms take time before visible improvements emerge in daily life.
Daniel Bwala claims over one million NELFUND beneficiaries are not children of the rich, yet offers no data on how many actually come from low-income homes. His assertion that state allocations are improving lives clashes with the absence of verified outcomes from states battling corruption. If funding alone were enough, past inflows would have already moved the needle. The gap between policy intent and lived reality remains unaddressed.
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