The comparison of the country’s current economy to that of 1960 has caused friction between Phrank Shaibu, Atiku Abubakar’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, and Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
At an occasion, Akinwumi Adesina, the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), reportedly denounced the present administration’s economic policies.
The chief of the AFDB claims that Nigerians are poorer and in worse shape in 2025 than they were in 1960. Additionally, he cautioned that generators cannot support Nigeria’s economic growth.
In a statement, the Presidency said that Adesina’s claims were untrue and inaccurate, comparing them to those of Peter Obi.
Shaibu praised the former Agriculture Minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan for presenting the truth in response to the Presidency’s attack on Adesina.
It was correct, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina. The 133 million Nigerians living in poverty are proof that the country is in worse shape now than it was in 1960.
Ignorance or spin are the two reasons for ignoring inflation while extrapolating the nominal GDP from 1960. Nigeria has decreased using the PPP-adjusted metric, which is what real experts use.
How long is life expected to last? 52 years, only. Jobless? Very high. The Naira? broke down. Hunger and power outages cannot be solved by mobile phones.
Selecting GDP and telecom statistics while disregarding growing poverty, inequality, and institutional breakdown is not only dishonest, but also cruel.
Refrain from deceiving Nigerians. People experience the suffering that Adesina described. Is it necessary to attack everyone when that is the actual data? “Who released the state on his 𝕏 handle?” Shaibu inquired Onanuga.
Onanuga replied, writing: “Phrank, you are just sad. Why do you people prefer to eat lies and not be willing to accept the truth? Nigeria is a far better country now than it was in 1960, regardless of how you interpret the 1960 GDP statistic.
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“Mr. Gadus, your response is a masterclass in intellectual laziness and wilful ignorance,” Atiku’s adviser responded to Tinubu’s aide, unfazed. It’s pitiful, to be honest, that you believe that repeating superficial analogies constitutes smart discussion. Try to comprehend Nigeria’s current quality of life, institutional deterioration, and obvious potential waste rather than repeating half-baked figures. Ignoring GDP numbers doesn’t change the reality of the oppressive poverty, insecurity, and dysfunctional systems that millions of Nigerians live with every day—situations that are far worse than what our founding fathers had in mind. It’s absurd that you believe manipulating statistics can cover up decades of disastrous leadership mistakes.
“Stop putting yourself through this blind, cheerleading nonsense and accept that fact.”
