Nigeria is facing deeper economic and security challenges than it did when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in 2023, according to former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.
Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed said the country’s situation has deteriorated significantly, citing worsening insecurity and hardship across the country.
“We are in deeper trouble than when you came, warning that violence has intensified beyond earlier expectations. he said,
“Violence is becoming a lot more serious than we anticipated. Three years into President Tinubu’s presidency, we’re seeing an escalation in both the pattern of violence and its impact on our people that we’ve never seen before,” he added.
The former adviser noted that President Tinubu came into office with promises to tackle insecurity, improve living conditions, and ensure the safety of citizens, but argued that those expectations have not been met.
“The president himself would admit that he has failed to live up to the promises he made to make Nigerians safe,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He also criticised the timing of recent government engagements, referencing the President’s state visit to the United Kingdom, which he described as poorly timed.
According to him, the trip took place shortly after a deadly attack in Borno State, raising concerns about the government’s priorities amid escalating insecurity.
“It occurred just days after one of the most horrendous attacks in Borno State, a few days before the departure of this huge contingent that the President led,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed’s remarks add to growing public debate over Nigeria’s security situation and economic conditions, as citizens continue to grapple with rising costs of living and persistent threats in several parts of the country.