By Yinka Giwa
As food prices continue to rise and hunger deepens across Nigeria, economic and political analysts say the Tinubu administration is shifting blame to external forces instead of confronting the consequences of its domestic policies. According to multiple observers, the government’s recent attempt to attribute skyrocketing prices to global food inflation appears to be a deflection from the failure of its economic reforms.
The Presidency, through the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Public Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare, yesterday claimed that Nigeria is suffering from the ripple effects of international price shocks. In a statement shared via his verified X handle, Dare cited the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s June 2025 index, which shows global food prices remain 22% above 2019 levels.
However, insiders say this explanation lacks context and ignores Nigeria’s unique challenges. “It’s misleading to compare our situation directly to global trends,” said Ogala Okome, a Lagos-based analyst. “Other countries may be facing inflation, but they are not experiencing the kind of structural collapse we see here: crippled supply chains, insecurity in food-producing areas, and massive local currency devaluation.”
The presidency also listed what it described as measures to mitigate food insecurity, including the declaration of a state of emergency on food, N200 billion invested in dry-season and all-year farming, and the establishment of a National Commodity Board to stabilize prices. Yet, experts argue that these interventions have had little visible impact on the ground.
“The government’s interventions are either delayed or ineffectively implemented,” said one analyst in Abuja. “Despite these so-called measures, we’ve seen no meaningful relief in markets. Food prices have more than doubled for most staples. The narrative that something is being done sounds more like political messaging than reality.”
The government’s response followed a recent Daily Trust editorial that spotlighted hunger and hardship across the country, especially in northern states. The editorial warned of widespread malnutrition and desperate coping mechanisms, such as citizens resorting to eating husks and even leaves to survive. While the presidency responded by accusing the publication of exaggeration and “alarmist narratives,” media observers argue the criticism reflects growing public frustration.
“They can dismiss Daily Trust, but the people know what they are experiencing,” said Stephanus Yakmut, who works for a Jos-based NGO. “There is a wide difference between all these Villa press statements and what is happening in villages, towns, and markets across Nigeria.”
Economic observers maintain that the real drivers of the food crisis lie in the administration’s own policy decisions, particularly the fuel subsidy removal, naira float, and poorly coordinated agricultural policies. An ex-central bank official, who recently retired from the apex bank, told this newspaper that the unification of the FX market, while necessary, was rolled out without adequate cushioning measures, leading to a sharp spike in imported food prices.
In defending the administration, Dare said that the President is working with governors, local councils, and development partners to distribute food and cash to vulnerable citizens. But those involved in grassroots relief work say the government’s outreach has been minimal at best. “We’ve not seen much of these interventions. If they exist, they are not reaching the people who need them most,” said the former CBN official who craved anonymity.
Dare also claimed Nigeria’s economic indicators are stabilising, pointing to an appreciating naira, now reportedly trading around N1,525/$1; and increased investor confidence. But financial analysts remain sceptical. Said the CBN official: “Even if the naira shows signs of recovery on paper, it hasn’t translated into real improvements in people’s lives. Prices remain high, wages stagnant, and unemployment widespread.“
On social intervention programmes, the Presidency insisted that the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme still serves over 9.8 million children and that three million households have received N75,000 under the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer scheme. Government sources also said over 396,000 students are now benefitting from the new tuition loan fund, NELFUND.
But several independent assessments question the scale and transparency of these programmes. “There’s little verification available,” said another analyst. “Even lawmakers and oversight bodies are struggling to confirm the actual disbursement figures.”
Overall, insiders say the administration’s messaging strategy appears focused on countering criticism rather than addressing systemic flaws. “It is disingenuous to blame the global economy for policy decisions and accuse the media of exaggerating real-life situations,” the analyst said, pointing out that, “ Nigerians are not living in those future statistics that are being bandied about. They are living and struggling in the harsh realities of today.”