The Presidency has issued a sharp rebuttal to a recent editorial published by Daily Trust, accusing the newspaper of misrepresenting the economic situation in Nigeria and ignoring the government’s ongoing reforms and interventions aimed at stabilising the country.
In a press statement signed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, the federal government described the editorial as “exaggerated, biased, and alarmist,” urging media institutions to uphold responsible journalism grounded in facts rather than pessimism.
“While no one in the Tinubu administration denies that some of our citizens face economic challenges, it is essential to separate honest concern from exaggerated pessimism and generalisation,” the statement read.
The presidency emphasised that contrary to claims of widespread hunger and hardship, the government is taking deliberate steps to mitigate economic challenges, including food insecurity, currency volatility, and high costs of living.
Food Security: Misunderstood Projections
Addressing the editorial’s citation of a UNICEF report forecasting hunger for 33 million Nigerians in 2025, the presidency clarified that the figures stemmed from the Cadre Harmonisé Food and Nutrition Insecurity Analysis, a projection based on worst-case scenarios assuming no intervention.
“The government has taken proactive steps to ensure we never get to that point,” the statement said, highlighting the release of 42,000 metric tons of grains from federal reserves, scaled-up nutrition support in vulnerable states, and the activation of the Presidential Food Security Council.
Naira Not ‘Worthless’
Responding to the claim that the naira is “worthless,” the presidency described the assertion as “false and misleading,” pointing to a recent appreciation of the currency. The naira, which had plummeted to ₦1,800/$1 earlier in the year, now trades at approximately ₦1,525/$1 as of August 1, 2025.
The recovery, according to the government, is due to improved oil revenues, renewed investor confidence, FX unification, and the reduction of a $4 billion FX backlog.
Ongoing Tax and Social Reforms
The statement also revealed that major tax reforms are underway, aimed at easing the burden on small businesses and essential goods. Beginning January 2026, the government plans to streamline over 60 overlapping taxes, eliminate nuisance taxes, and harmonize tax systems across states.
On social protection, the government noted that:
- Over 9.8 million children are still benefiting from the school feeding programme.
- Three million vulnerable households have received ₦75,000 under the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer.
- 396,000 students are now beneficiaries of tuition loans and stipends via NELFUND.
- The Presidential MSME Grant Scheme has supported over 250,000 small businesses in 2025 alone.
A New Strategy for Grassroots Development
The presidency also announced the launch of the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP), targeting all 8,809 wards across Nigeria. The initiative, endorsed by the National Economic Council (NEC), will focus on poverty alleviation, rural infrastructure, food security, and job creation at the community level.
“This is not just economic reform, it’s national renewal,” the statement added.
Call for Responsible Critique
While affirming the administration’s openness to constructive criticism, the presidency urged media outlets to avoid sensationalism and work toward national cohesion.
“This administration does not ask for silence in the face of hardship. It asks only for fairness and a shared commitment to rebuilding this country, not just exaggerating its pain,” the statement concluded.
