By Paul Joseph
President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary speech has sparked intense reactions from Nigerians, many of whom questioned and rejected the President’s claims that his economic reforms are producing positive results and said that Tinubu should “stop lying”.
During his nationwide address on Friday, Tinubu defended major policies introduced by his administration, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange market.
According to the President, the decisions were necessary to rescue the country from deeper economic problems and restore stability.
Tinubu admitted that the reforms brought hardship to millions of Nigerians but insisted the sacrifices would eventually lead to national recovery.
“I assure you: your sacrifice has not been in vain. Nigeria has stabilised and is moving forward again,” the President said.
Despite the assurance, many Nigerians flooded social media platforms with complaints over worsening living conditions, rising food prices, transportation costs, electricity tariffs and the continuous fall in purchasing power.
Several citizens argued that ordinary Nigerians were not seeing the economic progress repeatedly highlighted by the government.
X user Chuka @Chuka_obn questioned the administration’s claims of improvement, writing: “Fuel subsidy removed, electricity tariff increased, dollar high, food expensive… where is the improvement?”
Another user, Ayo Jackson @ayo_jksn, said the ruling APC promised “Renewed Hope” but Nigerians were instead facing “renewed suffering.”
“Stop lying. If your economic reforms are working, there won’t be long-time hardship everywhere,” another user posted on X.
Others said the government appeared disconnected from the realities facing average Nigerians struggling to survive under the current economic situation.
“We keep hearing about recovery and growth, but people are hungry. Businesses are collapsing and salaries can barely survive one week,” another Nigerian wrote online.
Some critics also accused the administration of focusing too heavily on economic statistics while many families continue to battle inflation, unstable incomes and high energy costs.
However, supporters of the President defended the reforms, insisting that major economic restructuring requires time before the benefits can be fully felt by citizens.
They pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects, student loan schemes, investments in agriculture, housing and energy as signs that the government is laying the foundation for long-term development.
In his speech, Tinubu highlighted achievements recorded in sectors including infrastructure, oil and gas, telecommunications, education, housing and security.
He also maintained that investor confidence in Nigeria was gradually returning following the government’s economic reforms and efforts to eliminate distortions created by the previous subsidy and multiple exchange-rate systems.
Nonetheless, public frustration remains high as many Nigerians continue to struggle with inflation, unemployment and the rising cost of living nearly three years into the administration’s reform agenda.
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