As President Bola Tinubu begins the third year of his stewardship, having clocked two years in office on May 29, 2025, vulnerable Nigerians have urged him to ensure his reforms wear a human face.
Tinubu had in a nationwide broadcast on Thursday to mark the second year of his four-year tenure, affirmed that the administration’s economic reforms were working and the government is on course to building a greater, more economically stable nation.
He said under the Renewed Hope Agenda, his administration pledged to tackle economic instability, improve security nationwide, reduce corruption, reform governance, and lift the people out of poverty, emphasising that despite the bump in the cost of living, the government had made undeniable progress.
“Inflation has begun to ease, with rice prices and other staples declining. The oil and gas sector is recovering; rig counts are up by over 400 percent in 2025 compared to 2021, and over $8 billion in new investments have been committed. We have stabilised our economy and are now better positioned for growth and prepared to withstand global shocks,” the president said.
However, vulnerable Nigerians who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday lamented the hardship those reforms have caused them and urged that they should have a human face going forward.
An unemployed graduate of Economics, Samuel Ende, said the reforms of the present administration such as the removal of fuel subsidy, have caused untold hardships on the underprivileged.
“When he removed the fuel subsidy, we were told it was necessary to save the economy. But for people like me, it has only made daily life harder. Transport fares have more than doubled. Food prices are unbearable. Electricity is erratic and expensive, and now I can’t even afford to power my devices to keep applying for jobs,” he said.
Ende noted that though the administration encouraged foreign investment, yet, most of them do not see evidence of that investment trickling down, saying all they feel is currency in freefall, employers downsizing, and job opportunities vanishing.
“Even small businesses around me are closing down. You talked about empowering the youth, but where are the jobs? Where is the training? Where is the hope? We are told to be patient, to endure but hunger does not wait. Rent does not wait. Depression does not wait.”
According to him, the policies may look good in economic reports, “but on the streets, they are suffocating us. We are not asking for miracles. We are asking to breathe. We are asking to live with dignity. We are asking for a Nigeria where our suffering is not explained away with economic jargons.”
Physically-challenged Persons Allege Neglect
For Disability Inclusion Champion, Dr Jake Epelle, the third year of Tinubu administration should be a turning point where policies not only wear a human face but also embody the principles of inclusivity and equity, particularly ensuring that Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) are integral participants in Nigeria’s development.
The founder/CEO of TAFAfrica said, “As President Tinubu continues his tenure, it is crucial that his administration prioritises the full implementation of the Disability Act, ensures adequate funding for the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and enforces employment quotas. Policies must transcend rhetoric and manifest in tangible improvements in the lives of PWDs.
“As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu embarks on the third year of his administration, it is imperative to reflect on the impact of his policies on Nigeria’s disability community.
Nigeria is home to approximately 35.1 million persons with disabilities (PWDs), representing a significant portion of the population.
“Despite the enactment of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act in 2019, which mandates equal rights and opportunities for PWDs, the implementation of inclusive policies remains inadequate. NCPWD established to oversee the welfare of PWDs, has faced challenges due to insufficient funding.
“In 2023, the federal government allocated N3.3 billion to the NCPWD, a 23 percent increase from the previous year. However, this amount falls short of the N60 billion proposed by the commission to effectively address the needs of PWDs… Accessibility to public infrastructure also remains a significant barrier, with many buildings and transportation systems lacking necessary accommodations,” he said.
Also, a disability inclusion and media expert, Comrade Chris Agbo, said it was unfortunate that despite the impact of the fuel subsidy removal policy, for instance, on persons with disabilities, the government has not introduced any concrete or targeted measures to cushion its effects on this vulnerable group.
According to him, the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, which were meant to alleviate transportation burdens for Nigerians, are not accessible to persons with disabilities.
The executive director of The Qualitative Magazine said the whole situation is deeply troubling and without government intervention that directly addresses the unique needs of persons with disabilities, they will continue to be left behind, excluded from meaningful participation in society and the economy.
Agbo lamented that the wheelchair, which is essential to his daily life and independence, had also become unaffordable due to increased tariffs and inflation.
“We continue to face numerous challenges due to high inflation and the rising cost of goods and services. As a wheelchair user with a family, I have found it extremely difficult to cope. I must provide for my family while also covering the additional costs that come with disability, which have significantly increased in recent times. These include the extra cost of fuelling my car, maintaining my mobility aids and paying for personal aides who assist me daily.
“Recently, I have needed to replace both my car and wheelchair as they have worn out. However, a car (Pontiac Vibe) that I bought a few years ago for N1,500,000 now sells for N8,500,000. The wheelchair, which is essential to my daily life and independence, has also become unaffordable due to increased tariffs and inflation. Now, I can no longer afford to replace either of them.
“Moreover, there is no standalone social intervention programme specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities in this difficult economic climate. Even though the tax reform committee engaged with persons with disabilities during consultations, the final report failed to include any provision for tax exemptions or reliefs for them – despite the absence of any alternative policy to ease the economic strain on persons with disabilities,” he noted.
To a public servant, Bartholomew Dansoho, the Tinubu-led administration had shown determination in pushing economic reforms, infrastructure development and security efforts, which are critical areas for Nigeria’s growth and stability.
He, however, observed that the reality on the ground for many Nigerians remains tough – rising costs of living, inflation, and limited access to basic services continue to strain families and workers alike.
“Policies must indeed wear a human face. It’s not enough to have grand plans and economic indicators improving on paper if ordinary citizens do not feel relief in their daily lives. The success of your policies will be measured by how well they translate into better livelihoods, job creation, affordable healthcare, education, and security for all Nigerians, especially the vulnerable and marginalised.
Varsity Don Calls For Rejig Of Cabinet, Review Of Scorching Policies
On his part, a political science lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr Christian Okeke, said the first two years of the current administration have sadly returned untold hardship and anguish to the common man rather than succour and happiness.
Okeke said the last two years were characterised by preventable deaths, material losses and scorching policies that uneventfully brought excruciating and preventable pains, adding that to the poor and low-income earners, it was as if the country is yet to have a responsive government.
He appealed for a recalibration of the decision-making chain and a rejig of the executive cabinet to inject fresh blood, infuse capable hands and above all onboard selfless and compassionate steerers of the national ship.
“This is a moment for the president to demonstrate that he is a true democrat and write his name in gold. Let the president deal with the insecurity, hunger, stagflation, unemployment and unfortunate condition of despair ravaging the entire country.
“The citizens expect a new phase that is transformational in terms of unprecedented human capital development and not the obvious display of incompetence, arrogance and insensitivity. The system should allow for inclusiveness in reaping the common patrimony and collaboratively working for the Nigeria of our dream.
“The poor need to breathe and have a feel of the blessedness that comes with being citizens of a prosperous state. Those who dictate the movements of the president and determine what he knows about the country that he governs should please allow him to go out and have first-hand knowledge of the true situation of the country and allow him to solve the knotty challenges,” the scholar postulated.
A farmer in the Kuje suburb of Abuja, Paul Akumah, insisted that the only solution to the challenges farmers are facing is the reduction in the prices of fuel and fertiliser as well as herbicides.
“As farmers, life has been tough for us since the coming onboard of this administration when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed fuel subsidy. Transport fares have gone up; fertiliser and herbicides are almost out of our reach.
“You pay very high to hire labourers, buy fertiliser, herbicides and when you eventually harvest your produce, transporting them to the market is another big challenge and when you eventually sell them, all the money goes for those expenses I mentioned. Then, when you want to buy other items, what you get from sales cannot afford them. Unless fuel price is reduced, the policies of the government will continue to have negative impacts on farmers,” Akumah said.
A trader at Nyanya Market in Abuja, Mohammed Salihu, also lamented the high cost of transportation, saying, “It takes away what is supposed to be our profit. Unless the price of fuel is reduced and transport fares come down, we are finished.
“However, I am still trusting Mr President to have compassion on us and come to the aid of the average Nigerians, especially traders by making sure fuel price is reduced so that transportation will not take away the little profit we make here,” he said
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