Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, saying they have made life increasingly difficult for Nigerians.
Atiku, in a statement addressing the country’s worsening cost-of-living crisis, vowed that he would make Nigeria affordable again if given the opportunity to lead the country.
“Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again,” Atiku said.
The former vice president argued that no government should celebrate economic reforms while young Nigerians struggle to afford basic necessities such as food, housing and education.
According to him, economic reforms should be measured by their impact on the lives of ordinary citizens, stressing that Nigerians deserve affordable food, cheaper transportation, accessible healthcare and decent employment opportunities.
“No government should celebrate ‘reforms’ while young Nigerians are being reduced to selling parts of themselves to eat, pay rent, settle school fees or survive,” Atiku said.
He expressed concern over reports of young Nigerians resorting to desperate measures to cope with economic hardship, citing reports of people allegedly offering to sell their kidneys for as much as N1.7 million.
“Our young people should be selling their ideas, talents and innovation to the world and not their kidneys for N1.7 million just to survive at home,” he said.
Atiku described the situation as a reflection of the human cost of Nigeria’s current economic challenges, insisting that government policies must prioritise the welfare and dignity of citizens.
He said Nigeria’s young population should be empowered to contribute meaningfully to the economy rather than being forced into desperate survival strategies.
The former vice president’s comments come amid continued public debate over the impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and other measures aimed at stabilising the economy.
Atiku maintained that genuine economic transformation must translate into improved living standards and renewed hope for Nigerians, particularly the younger generation.
