Post by Ibadan Watch (@Ibadanwatch)

Statistics Cannot Hide Nigerians’ Suffering, ADC Slams FG Over GDP Growth Claims.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted the Federal Government’s celebration of Nigeria’s reported Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, insisting that the figures do not reflect the harsh economic realities confronting ordinary Nigerians.

In a statement released on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the government of trying to “use headline GDP figures to whitewash the deep economic suffering Nigerians are currently enduring across the country.”

The party argued that soaring food prices, persistent inflation, declining purchasing power, rising unemployment, and the collapse of small businesses indicate that citizens are yet to benefit from the reported economic growth.

“People do not eat GDP,” the party stated, stressing that economic growth only becomes meaningful when it improves living standards, creates employment opportunities, and eases hardship.

The ADC further said, “Economic growth that does not reduce suffering, create jobs, improve incomes, or restore dignity to citizens is empty growth. Growth that only exists in official reports while citizens descend deeper into hardship is not meaningful progress.”

According to the opposition party, the government appears more focused on economic statistics than the day-to-day struggles of Nigerians in markets, farms, factories, and homes.

“Food prices are unbearable. Transportation costs have become punitive. Small businesses are shutting down daily under the crushing weight of inflation, energy costs, and weak consumer demand. Salaries have lost value. Families who once lived modestly are now struggling to survive,” the statement added.

The ADC also questioned the basis for celebrating economic growth amid worsening living conditions.

“What exactly should Nigerians celebrate? The fact that food inflation continues to devastate households? That millions of young Nigerians remain unemployed or underemployed? That businesses are collapsing faster than new ones are emerging?” the party asked.

The criticism followed a report by Quartus Economics which stated that Nigeria’s dollar GDP rose by 22 per cent to approximately $307 billion in 2025, driven by stronger economic output and appreciation of the naira.

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