Bwala made these comments in response to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's criticism of the administration's handling of the food crisis. Atiku had stated there were "no manifest signs" the government could address severe hunger affecting poor Nigerians .
The presidential aide argued that Nigerians had experienced hunger since independence in 1960. He pointed to economic progress under Tinubu, including increased foreign reserves and reduced import dependency .
Bwala asked critics to judge the government by its economic metrics rather than what he called "rhetoric" about hunger. He highlighted healthcare improvements and student loan programs as administration achievements .
President Tinubu himself acknowledged the pain caused by his economic reforms. He said he did not take Nigerians' patience for granted while insisting the worst was behind them .
Economic indicators show a complex picture. Inflation has eased to 24 percent from 34 percent last year but remains above the 22 percent rate when Tinubu took office . The World Bank predicts Nigeria's GDP will grow by 4 percent this year .
The World Bank's Africa Pulse report from April 2025 presented a grimmer outlook. It said Nigeria under Tinubu has the world's highest number of extremely poor people. The report warned more Nigerians would fall into poverty by 2027 .
International organizations have expressed concern about food insecurity. The International Monetary Fund acknowledged Tinubu's policies while noting poverty and food insecurity remain high .
Security problems continue affecting food production and distribution. Amnesty International reported at least 10,217 people killed in gunmen attacks during Tinubu's first two years . Kidnapping for ransom remains widespread across many regions .
Human rights organizations have criticized the administration's record. Amnesty International said Tinubu failed to ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law .
The government faces criticism over its response to protests. Security forces have disrupted demonstrations against economic policies . The administration has proposed a new Cybercrime Act that critics fear could suppress dissent .
Economic reforms implemented by Tinubu include removing fuel subsidies and electricity price supports. These measures triggered Nigeria's worst cost-of-living crisis in generations .
Fuel prices increased over 600 percent after subsidy removal. A liter of petrol now costs around 1,200 naira . The currency devaluation made imports more expensive while the naira became one of the world's worst-performing currencies .
Unemployment remains a major concern despite economic growth. Many graduates still cannot find jobs . Official youth unemployment reached 8.6 percent .
The government has achieved some fiscal improvements. The deficit narrowed to 3.0 percent of GDP in 2024 from 5.4 percent in 2023 . Government revenue generation has improved .
Public affairs analyst Professor Adeosun Olufemi suggested state governors share blame for problems. He noted increased allocations to states after fuel subsidy removal .
Opposition parties have called Tinubu's two years in office a "massive disappointment" . The Peoples Democratic Party said the president had failed Nigerians .
Some citizens have resorted to desperate measures amid food shortages. There are reports of people looting food trucks and ransacking warehouses .
The administration continues facing security challenges beyond hunger concerns. Various regions experience different forms of violence including banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder conflicts .
Northwest Nigeria suffers particularly severe violence. States like Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara experience critical levels of gangsterism . Sokoto has Nigeria's highest poverty rate at 91 percent .
The government claims security has improved under Tinubu. It says banditry has reduced in the northwest and highways have become safer .
The administration has implemented a new minimum wage of 70,000 naira. Critics note this amounts to under $42 at current exchange rates . The previous minimum wage of 30,000 naira was worth $83 when introduced in 2019 .
Some state governors have refused to implement the new minimum wage despite increased allocations from the federal government .
The Tinubu administration continues facing significant economic and security challenges halfway through its term. The government points to economic indicators showing improvement while critics highlight persistent hunger and poverty .