RismadarVoice Reporters, June 24, 2026
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga has defended the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, insisting that ongoing reforms are beginning to produce positive results despite concerns over the rising cost of living and economic hardship across the country.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Onanuga argued that public discourse often overlooks the benefits of government initiatives and infrastructure projects that are gradually improving the lives of Nigerians.
According to him, major road projects undertaken by the Federal Government are already making a noticeable difference in transportation and connectivity.
He cited a recent journey from Ibadan to Lagos, during which he travelled through the Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu axis and observed newly constructed concrete roads in the area.
The presidential aide said the improved road infrastructure has transformed travel conditions for residents and reduced complaints from communities that previously faced transportation challenges.
Onanuga also highlighted the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, noting that it has significantly reduced travel time for commuters in parts of Lagos.
Using his personal experience as an example, he said journeys that previously took more than two hours now require considerably less time due to improvements in road infrastructure.
He questioned criticisms of the administration’s performance, arguing that such projects provide direct benefits to citizens and contribute to economic development.
Beyond infrastructure, Onanuga pointed to the Federal Government’s student loan programme as one of the administration’s key interventions aimed at supporting families and expanding access to higher education.
He noted that students can now access interest-free educational loans, reducing the financial burden on parents with children in tertiary institutions.
The presidential spokesman also referenced low-interest credit facilities available to civil servants and workers, describing them as measures designed to ease financial pressures and improve access to affordable financing.
According to him, many Nigerians are already benefiting from single-digit interest loans, which he said offer more favourable terms than conventional lending options.
Onanuga maintained that while economic challenges remain, some of the achievements recorded by the administration are often ignored in public conversations about the economy.
He argued that certain narratives surrounding widespread hardship have become entrenched, making it difficult for some observers to acknowledge areas where progress has been made.
Reflecting on public perceptions of hunger and economic hardship, the presidential aide said his personal interactions with people around him do not always align with the severity of conditions often portrayed in public debates.
While acknowledging that many Nigerians continue to face economic difficulties, he expressed confidence that the administration’s reforms and intervention programmes will continue to deliver benefits as implementation progresses.
