Post by Adedayo Oduwobi (@stopit)
Hunger, Hardship, and the Danger of Denying Reality
I listened carefully to the recent interview granted by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in which he suggested that the level of hunger and hardship being reported across Nigeria is exaggerated and that many Nigerians are ungrateful for the efforts of the current administration.
As a Nigerian and as a logistics and supply chain professional with over twenty-five years of practical experience, I find such remarks deeply concerning. One of the most important principles in leadership and management is that problems cannot be solved if they are first denied. Before solutions can emerge, there must be an honest acknowledgment of the realities facing the people.
Today, millions of Nigerians are struggling with rising food prices, transportation costs, housing expenses, healthcare bills, and declining purchasing power. These are not political slogans; they are everyday realities visible in markets, workplaces, schools, and homes across the country. The increasing cost of moving goods from one part of the country to another has had a direct impact on food prices and the overall cost of living. As someone who understands supply chains, I know that when transportation costs, energy costs, and operational expenses rise sharply, the burden ultimately falls on consumers.
The statistics may be debated, but the lived experiences of ordinary Nigerians cannot be ignored. Families that could previously afford basic necessities now struggle to meet their daily needs. Small businesses are closing. Many young people are unemployed or underemployed. The gap between income and the cost of living continues to widen.
What Nigerians expect from their leaders is not denial but leadership. Citizens want government officials to acknowledge the challenges, explain the reasons behind difficult policies, and clearly communicate the steps being taken to improve the situation. Transparency builds trust. Dismissing the concerns of the people only deepens frustration and weakens public confidence.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has repeatedly argued that its reforms are necessary for long-term economic recovery. If that is the case, then government officials should engage Nigerians with facts, empathy, and measurable results rather than suggesting that the suffering being reported is imaginary or exaggerated.
Democracy gives citizens the right to evaluate the performance of their leaders. Elections are not merely political events; they are opportunities for accountability. Every Nigerian who desires change should obtain and safeguard their Permanent Voter Card (PVC), participate peacefully in the democratic process, and vote according to their conscience and assessment of government performance.
No government should fear criticism, and no citizen should be made to feel guilty for speaking about hardship. The first step toward solving a problem is acknowledging that it exists. Until those in positions of authority are willing to confront the realities facing ordinary Nigerians, meaningful solutions may remain out of reach.
Nigeria deserves leadership that listens, understands, and responds to the concerns of its people. The future of our nation depends not on denying reality but on confronting it with honesty, competence, and courage.
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