The African Democratic Congress has sharply criticized the Federal Government’s recent celebration of Nigeria’s economic growth figures, arguing that the reported GDP expansion does not reflect the harsh realities faced by ordinary Nigerians struggling with inflation, hunger, and rising living costs.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the opposition party described the government’s economic projections as disconnected from the daily experiences of citizens, insisting that statistical growth means little if it fails to improve living conditions.
The statement, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, came in response to remarks made by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, during an investor engagement in Paris where he reportedly highlighted Nigeria’s 11.2 percent GDP growth in dollar terms for 2025 and projected the country could become a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Reacting to the government’s economic outlook, the ADC said the administration was focusing excessively on international investor confidence while millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with severe economic hardship.
“People do not eat GDP,” the statement declared. “No government should celebrate statistics when citizens are battling hunger, poverty, collapsing purchasing power, and worsening economic conditions.”
The party argued that headline growth figures have failed to translate into affordable food prices, stable electricity, lower transportation costs, or meaningful job creation.
The opposition party identified several areas it believes demonstrate the widening gap between official economic data and grassroots reality.
According to the ADC, food prices remain at record highs across major markets, small businesses are shutting down due to inflation and rising energy costs, salaries have significantly lost purchasing power following currency devaluation, and transportation and utility expenses continue to rise sharply.
The party warned that many households are now operating in “survival mode,” with economic reforms placing additional pressure on already struggling families.
The ADC urged the administration of Bola Tinubu to shift focus toward policies that directly impact citizens’ welfare rather than relying on macroeconomic indicators alone.
The party called on the Federal Government to prioritize affordable food supply and agricultural support, stable electricity and reduced energy costs, employment generation and support for small and medium-scale enterprises, as well as policies aimed at strengthening the purchasing power of the naira.
“Economic growth that does not reduce suffering or restore dignity to citizens is not meaningful progress,” Abdullahi stated.
The criticism comes amid ongoing national debate over the impact of the government’s economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange liberalization, and new borrowing plans tied to infrastructure projects.
While international financial institutions and investors have praised Nigeria’s reform agenda and improving macroeconomic outlook, critics argue that the benefits have yet to reach ordinary citizens.
Analysts say the growing divide between macroeconomic indicators and public sentiment is likely to remain a major political issue as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
