Nigeria’s presidency acknowledges that more Nigerians have fallen into poverty under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to multiple reports. Daniel Bwala, a Tinubu spokesperson, says the immediate impact of the government’s economic reforms is painful and has pushed additional people into poverty.
The presidency frames the increase as a short-term outcome of restructuring policies meant to support longer-term economic direction. While outlets note the admission that hardship is occurring, they also report that Bwala argues the administration had “no choice” but to implement reforms despite the discomfort. Sources differ mainly in emphasis—some foreground the admission of poverty levels, while others focus on the justification that the hardship is linked to ongoing reform rather than a deliberate outcome.
Overall, the reporting shows the government moving from denial or minimisation to a public acknowledgement of poverty pressures, while maintaining that the reforms are necessary for future progress.
