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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu over his comparison of the country’s fuel prices with those of other African countries, arguing that the claim does not reflect the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
In a statement issued in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku faulted the President’s remarks during a visit to Bayelsa State, where Tinubu had said Nigerians should be appreciative that petrol remains cheaper locally than in countries such as Kenya, while also acknowledging ongoing economic challenges.
Responding, Atiku argued that focusing solely on fuel prices ignores more important indicators such as income levels, purchasing power and the overall cost of living, adding that such comparisons present a misleading picture of economic well-being.
He maintained that although petrol may be cheaper in Nigeria than in some countries, the broader economic context shows that living costs remain high relative to earnings, leaving many citizens under financial strain.
“It is both curious and troubling that the President would isolate fuel prices as a metric of economic comfort while ignoring the far more critical indicators of purchasing power, income levels, and cost of living.
“This selective reasoning betrays either a fundamental misunderstanding of economic realities or a deliberate attempt to deflect from policy failures.
“Yes, petrol prices in Nigeria may appear lower than in countries like Kenya or South Africa. But this comparison collapses instantly when placed against the backdrop of economic realities. Nigeria today is more expensive to live in than Kenya, with the average cost of living significantly higher, despite lower fuel prices.”
Atiku also pointed to disparities in income, noting that average earnings in Kenya are significantly higher than in Nigeria, which, he said, places Nigerians at a disadvantage despite lower fuel costs.
“More alarming is the collapse in earning power. Kenya’s GDP per capita is nearly double that of Nigeria, and a minimum wage earner in Nairobi takes home the equivalent of about ₦170,000-more than twice Nigeria’s ₦70,000.
“In effect, while a Kenyan earns more and pays more, a Nigerian earns far less and is forced to survive under crushing economic pressure. This is the reality the President chose to ignore.”
He further criticised the country’s wage structure, saying it does not adequately reflect economic realities, and stressed that affordability should be assessed based on the balance between income and expenses rather than price alone.
According to him, relying on selective comparisons at a time of rising inflation and declining living standards risks creating the impression that the government is disconnected from the realities facing citizens.
“The implication is clear: affordability is not defined by price alone, but by the relationship between income and expenditure. On this measure, Nigerians have never had it worse.
“It is, therefore, deeply disappointing that at a time when citizens expect empathy, clarity, and decisive leadership, the President has chosen the path of statistical convenience.
“A government that relies on selective comparisons while its citizens grapple with rising poverty, inflation, and declining living standards risks appearing not only out of touch, but indifferent,” he stated.
