The Nigerian Presidency has pushed back against what it described as a “distorted” editorial critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies, insisting that the administration remains committed to addressing national challenges through strategic reforms.
In a statement issued on Friday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, stressed that while constructive criticism is welcome, it must be rooted in facts, not “exaggerated pessimism or selective distortions.”
“The irony is that what is often criticised today are the very policies designed to ensure Nigerians enjoy a more secure and prosperous future,” Dare stated.
Reacting to concerns over looming hunger projections linked to a recent UNICEF report, the Presidency clarified that the data stemmed from the Cadre Harmonisé Food Insecurity Analysis, a forecast model, not current statistics.
Dare outlined measures being taken to prevent a food crisis, including the release of over 42,000 metric tons of grains, procurement of an additional 117,000 metric tons, and scaled-up nutrition support in six northern states.
On the economy, Dare noted that while hardship exists, the government’s fiscal and monetary reforms are yielding results. He pointed to the naira’s rebound from ₦1,800/$ in March to approximately ₦1,525/$ as of August 1, attributing the recovery to increased oil revenues, FX window unification, and reduced dollar backlog.
He also countered claims that the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme had “fizzled out,” confirming that over 9.8 million schoolchildren continue to benefit, supported by more than 200,000 cooks and local farmers.
The presidency highlighted other ongoing interventions under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including ₦75,000 cash transfers to three million households (targeting 15 million in total), student tuition support through NELFund, and the recently launched Ward Development Programme aimed at delivering grassroots development across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards.
“This administration does not ask for silence in the face of hardship,” Dare concluded. “It asks only for fairness and a shared commitment to rebuilding this country, not just exaggerating its pain.”
