Former Executive Director of News at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Shittu Alamu, has backed the recent comments made by the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, stating that Nigerians are worse off today than they were 65 years ago.
Reacting to the backlash Adesina received from the presidency, particularly from presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, Shittu-Alamu said Adesina’s statement reflects the harsh reality many Nigerians face and is supported by clear evidence.
He criticised Onanuga for dismissing Adesina’s assessment and accused the presidency of being overly defensive.
Dr. Adesina, a former Minister of Agriculture, had lamented the current state of living for many Nigerians, saying that the country has regressed since gaining independence in 1960.
He compared the economic and social well-being of Nigerians in the past to those of the present, asserting that things have deteriorated over time.
In response, Onanuga dismissed the remarks, accusing the AfDB President of relying on misleading data and speaking like a politician. He insisted Nigeria has made significant progress since its independence.
However, Shittu-Alamu questioned Onanuga’s claims and defended Adesina’s credibility, noting that as a seasoned economist and head of a continental financial institution, Adesina would not make baseless assertions.
He emphasised that policies initiated during Adesina’s time as agriculture minister were effective but later neglected by successive administrations.
He added that comparing monetary figures across decades does not reflect true economic progress.
“If a man fed his family with ten naira in 1960 and needs ₦500,000 today to do the same, can we really say he has progressed?” he asked.
Shittu-Alamu further challenged the reliance on GDP per capita as a sole measure of progress, arguing that it overlooks critical aspects like access to healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
He urged the government to face the truth about the nation’s struggles and take meaningful steps toward improving citizens’ living conditions rather than dismissing constructive criticism.
