“People Are Hungry”: Femi Falana Blasts Elite-Favoring Reforms Under President Tinubu’s Government

 

Falana Raises Alarm Over Worsening Economic Inequality Under Tinubu’s Watch

Renowned Nigerian human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has delivered a scathing critique of the Bola Tinubu administration, accusing it of implementing economic policies that protect the interests of the elite while deepening poverty among the general population.

During an appearance on Channels Television on Monday, Falana expressed grave concern over what he termed a widening gap between the ruling class and ordinary citizens. He argued that the economic direction taken by the current administration has made life increasingly unbearable for millions of Nigerians, while a select few continue to enjoy comfort and wealth.

“The reality is clear — for those at the top, it’s a time of prosperity. But for the rest of the country, the situation is dire,” he stated pointedly. He went on to criticize the celebratory tone of some top officials who have publicly claimed that things are improving, dismissing such remarks as tone-deaf and disconnected from the hardships facing everyday Nigerians.

Since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, his administration has rolled out a series of sweeping reforms, including the controversial removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of multiple exchange rates. Though intended to stabilize the economy and boost investor confidence, these moves have had unintended and painful consequences. Nigerians have been hit hard by escalating energy prices, soaring food costs, and an overall spike in the cost of living.

Falana did not mince words as he described the current economic state as “excruciating,” adding that many families are struggling to meet basic needs such as feeding and education for their children. He said the President’s repeated pleas for patience from Nigerians, while perhaps well-intentioned, have done little to ease the actual suffering on the ground.

“You can ask people to be patient,” Falana remarked, “but when there’s no food, when school fees are unaffordable, and when jobs are vanishing, patience quickly runs out.”

As one of Nigeria’s most vocal critics of foreign economic influence, Falana took aim at the role of international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. He described their recommendations as “rigid neoliberal policies” that do not account for the socio-economic context of a developing nation like Nigeria.

“The prescriptions of Bretton Woods institutions have failed our people. What we need now is confidence in our own capacity — solutions developed by Nigerians, for Nigerians,” he asserted.

Among the policy choices Falana strongly opposed was the devaluation of the naira. According to him, weakening the national currency in a country so heavily reliant on imports is a recipe for disaster. The result, he argued, is a cascade of price increases across nearly every sector of the economy — from food and fuel to medicine and transport.

“You devalue the currency of an import-dependent economy, and what you get is not stability, but a skyrocketing cost of living. That’s exactly what’s happening now,” he said.

Beyond economic commentary, Falana also spoke on the role of citizens in a functional democracy. He urged Nigerians to take more interest in the budgeting process, challenging them to track allocations and demand accountability at every level of government.

“The budget isn’t just a document for lawmakers — it’s a social contract. Citizens must study it, scrutinize it, and follow the money. That’s the only way to ensure promises become reality,” he advised.

On political conduct, Falana took a swipe at what he perceived as early maneuvering ahead of the next elections. He warned that such distractions could derail governance and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce regulations preventing premature electioneering.

“This is a time for governance, not politicking,” he emphasized. “INEC should step in and make it clear that the focus should remain on delivering good governance until the official campaign season begins.”

With public discontent rising and economic challenges mounting, Falana’s remarks add to the growing chorus of voices calling for a major rethink of the nation’s economic direction. Whether or not the Tinubu administration will heed these warnings remains to be seen, but for millions of Nigerians grappling with daily hardship, the urgency is undeniable.