President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has told Nigerians to remain grateful despite the economic strain caused by high fuel prices, asserting that the country is better off than many others. He made the remarks during a visit to Bayelsa State on Friday, where he commissioned a number of projects, including the Okoroba-Abonnema road and the Ibom Deep Sea Port. Tinubu acknowledged that citizens are facing difficulties due to the removal of fuel subsidies and the resulting increase in transportation and living costs. He urged Nigerians to bear with the government as it implements economic reforms aimed at long-term growth. "Yes, it is tough now, but thank God you are better off," Tinubu said. The president emphasized that difficult decisions were necessary to stabilize the economy. His comments come amid widespread public frustration over inflation, which reached 33.93% in April 2024, and the rising cost of fuel following the full deregulation of the downstream sector.
Tinubu's message of gratitude amid soaring fuel prices reveals a growing disconnect between the presidency and the daily reality of most Nigerians. While commissioning infrastructure projects in Bayelsa, he declared citizens are "better off," a claim that rings hollow for millions struggling to afford transportation, food, and energy. The president's framing reduces deep structural economic pain to a matter of attitude, suggesting resilience should substitute for relief.
The context is critical: fuel prices have surged past ₦900 per litre in some areas since subsidy removal, and inflation remains above 33%. These are not abstract figures—they translate into smaller meals, shuttered businesses, and deeper poverty. Tinubu's focus on long-term gains does little for market traders, commuters, or civil servants watching their incomes erode. His remarks also downplay the government's role in managing the transition, offering moral exhortation instead of tangible mitigation.
Ordinary Nigerians, especially low-income earners and informal workers, are bearing the full weight of economic reform without visible compensatory support. For them, being "better off" is not a lived experience but a political narrative. This moment fits a broader pattern: economic decisions made at the top with minimal cushioning for the masses, reinforcing a governance style that prioritizes structural adjustment over social protection.
