Nigeria's Economic Growth Coexists with Rising Poverty – Baba‑Ahmed

Dr. Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed, National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming it has enacted major policies without proper planning and has failed to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

Speaking on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* on Friday, Baba‑Ahmed said the federal government did not conduct adequate assessments before pursuing key economic reforms, especially the removal of the fuel subsidy.

He argued that significant policy decisions should be preceded by comprehensive SWOT analyses—examining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

“You don’t embark on policies without a SWOT analysis. The very day President Tinubu was sworn in, by his own admission, the issue of removing the subsidy was not even in his speech,” Baba‑Ahmed said.

He contended that the administration did not adequately prepare Nigerians for the consequences of the subsidy removal.

“No government undertakes a policy measure of this magnitude without putting it through the most basic elements of a SWOT analysis,” he added.

The PRP chairman also dismissed claims that opposition members were seeking to unseat the government through unconstitutional means, insisting that any change in government would come only through the ballot box.

“We intend to remove the government by voting them out of power. That is the case,” he said.

Baba‑Ahmed expressed disappointment with President Tinubu’s performance, noting that the president entered office with strong political credentials but failed to seize what he described as a historic opportunity to tackle Nigeria’s long‑standing problems.

“The President came to power with fairly good credentials. You would think a man who is so ambitious and who said, ‘It’s my time,’ would come to power and tackle some of the most fundamental problems of this country—security, cost of living, and corruption. He did none of those things,” he said.

He argued that despite rising government revenues, ordinary Nigerians continue to experience worsening economic conditions.

“Now we’re here. Nigeria is making so much money, and yet poverty levels are rising, insecurity is rising, and corruption is rising,” Baba‑Ahmed alleged.

The PRP chairman concluded by describing the Tinubu administration as one that has failed to meet public expectations.

The federal government has consistently defended its economic reforms, maintaining that measures such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange‑rate adjustments are necessary to stabilize the economy and lay the groundwork for long‑term growth.