The Presidency has dismissed claims that Nigeria is on the verge of collapse, describing them as exaggerated and disconnected from reality.
In a statement on Friday morning, August 8, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, criticised a recent editorial titled “Nigeria is Collapsing under Tinubu’s Watch” for misrepresenting the country’s economic situation and fuelling public anxiety.
While acknowledging ongoing economic difficulties, Dare insisted the challenges are not as dire as portrayed. He said the widely reported figure that 33 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger is a projection from the Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis — not a confirmed outcome.
“Criticism is welcome, but it must be rooted in truth, not fear-mongering,” Dare said.
He accused the editorial of overlooking government initiatives aimed at reducing hardship, citing measures such as the release of grain from national reserves, agricultural support programmes, and targeted cash transfers.
Dare also highlighted what he described as positive signs from ongoing reforms, including a more stable naira-dollar exchange rate and planned tax and social policy adjustments expected to yield stronger results by 2026.