President Tinubu’s economic reforms — notably the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira — have further weakened the purchasing power of Nigerians.
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Looking at the devastating state of Nigeria’s economy, the worsening insecurity, and the collapse of governance structures, one is forced to ask a painful yet pertinent question: Does Nigeria truly have a President?
Over the past few months, the country has sunk deeper into crisis, with little or no signs of leadership or national direction. Insecurity has not only persisted but worsened. In Plateau State alone, over 1,336 people were gruesomely murdered by bandits and militia groups between December 2023 and February 2024, according to Amnesty International. Just in April, 52 additional lives were lost in renewed attacks in the same state — all under the watch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Yet, amid these tragic realities, President Tinubu embarked on a two-week “private leave” to France, leaving behind a nation engulfed in blood, hunger, and confusion. What kind of leader deserts his people in their hour of greatest need?
The silence from the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, since Tinubu’s departure has only deepened the sense of abandonment. The country is practically on autopilot.
To compound matters, Tinubu’s administration has continued to undermine democratic norms and institutions. His unconstitutional suspension of the duly elected Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and several lawmakers on March 18, 2025, has thrown the state into chaos. Daily protests and growing civil unrest have paralyzed the Rivers economy, and yet, the President remains in France — indifferent, disconnected, and unavailable.
The economic indicators are equally grim. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that Nigeria’s inflation rate surged to 24.23% in March 2025, up from 23.18% in February. Food inflation has skyrocketed, and essential commodities are now luxuries for the average Nigerian.
As of March 2025:
Over 133 million Nigerians are classified as multidimensionally poor.
Unemployment rate is projected to exceed 40%, making Nigeria the second worst-hit nation globally in terms of joblessness.
The naira has plunged to a record low, exchanging at ₦1,850 to $1 on the parallel market.
President Tinubu’s economic reforms — notably the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira — have further weakened the purchasing power of Nigerians. Salaries remain stagnant while the cost of living has tripled. Families can no longer afford basic necessities, and the middle class is fast disappearing.
To worsen public perception, President Tinubu’s alleged ties to drug trafficking, as flagged in past international reports, continue to haunt Nigeria’s image globally. It is a tragic irony that a nation struggling to clamp down on drug abuse is being led by a man many describe as a controversial figure on the global stage.
So, does Nigeria really have a President? Or are we simply pretending?
A true President leads from the front — in crises and in calm. A real leader listens, acts, and stands with his people. But today, Nigerians feel orphaned in their own land.
As you reflect on the sorry state of the nation — the insecurity, economic hardship, democratic regression, and leadership vacuum — perhaps the better question should be:
Is Nigeria still a country under leadership, or just a territory under trial?
Michael A. G. Iboh writes from Port Harcourt.
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