Poverty Situation Worsened Under Tinubu Administration – ADC’s Ladan Salihu Raises Alarm

A prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ladan Salihu, has expressed deep concern over the worsening state of multidimensional poverty in Nigeria under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Salihu made this assertion on Tuesday while featuring as a guest on “Prime Time,” a current affairs programme aired on Arise Television, which was closely monitored by LMSINT MEDIA.

During the interview, the ADC chieftain explained that Nigeria’s poverty crisis has progressively intensified over the years, noting that the situation has deteriorated further under the present government. According to him, multidimensional poverty stood at about 43 percent in 2014, increased significantly by 2019, and has reached an even more alarming level by 2025.

He emphasized that the statistics cited were not speculative or politically motivated, stressing that they were officially released by reputable institutions such as the World Bank and Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Salihu further criticized the economic direction of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the government’s reform policies have placed excessive hardship on Nigerians. He described the reforms as overly harsh, arguing that they are steadily eroding the quality of life and weakening the means of livelihood across the country.

Reflecting on his expectations before the interview, Salihu noted that engaging in political discussions often leads to excuses and counter-arguments that fail to address the long-standing structural failures of governance in Nigeria.

He recalled that by 2022, the number of Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty had reached an estimated 87 million in Northern Nigeria, while about 47 million were affected in the Southern region. When combined, he said, the total figure rose to approximately 141 million people, a situation he believes the government has failed to confront with honesty and urgency.

According to Salihu, any government that claims to be responsive and accountable must be willing to openly acknowledge such realities and address them decisively rather than downplay their severity.

He also questioned the impact of fuel subsidy removal, arguing that such a policy, without strong social intervention measures, inevitably worsens the suffering of ordinary citizens. He contrasted the current approach with previous administrations, particularly under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who implemented cushioning policies to mitigate economic hardship.

Salihu referenced initiatives such as the Education Trust Fund (ETF)—which was once headed by former President Muhammadu Buhari—and the Mass Transit Programme, which helped reduce transportation costs for Nigerians during Obasanjo’s tenure.

Highlighting the sharp rise in transportation expenses, he recalled that between 2014 and 2015, a journey from Abuja to Kano cost approximately ₦1,500. Today, he noted, the same trip now costs between ₦13,000 and ₦15,000, a difference he attributed largely to the removal of fuel subsidy and rising economic pressures.

In conclusion, Salihu maintained that the current economic policies have intensified poverty levels across Nigeria and called on the government to adopt more humane, people-centered reforms capable of restoring dignity and stability to the lives of Nigerians