Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has criticised Nigerians who defend President Bola Tinubu’s administration online while, according to him, facing some of the same economic difficulties being raised by other citizens.
Dalung made the comments as criticism of the Federal Government’s economic policies and the rising cost of living continues to feature prominently in public discussions.
The former minister has remained an outspoken critic of the Tinubu administration, particularly over the impact of its economic reforms on ordinary Nigerians.
He has argued that government economic statistics should be reflected in the daily lives of citizens, including their ability to afford food, transportation and other basic necessities.
Dalung previously criticised President Tinubu’s Independence Day address, describing it as “rhetorical, wishful, ambitious” and “very disappointing and empty.” He argued that the President should have used the speech to provide Nigerians with clearer evidence of what the administration had achieved since taking office in 2023.
According to Dalung, economic growth figures alone are not enough if ordinary Nigerians do not experience a corresponding improvement in their living conditions.
He questioned how reported economic growth translates into purchasing power and the cost of transportation for Nigerians who continue to struggle with household expenses.
His latest criticism also touches on the growing debate on social media, where Nigerians frequently clash over the performance of the Tinubu administration. Supporters of the government have continued to defend its reforms, while critics argue that the policies have placed additional pressure on households.
The former minister has maintained that citizens should be able to openly question government policies and hold leaders accountable regardless of their political affiliations.
Dalung has also criticised the handling of political dissent in Nigeria. In a separate reaction to the arrest of five Maiduguri residents over shirts bearing the words “Tinubu Must Go”, he argued that citizens should be free to express political disagreement without being punished for their views.
The Tinubu administration, meanwhile, has consistently defended its economic reforms, arguing that the measures introduced since 2023 were necessary to address longstanding structural problems and stabilise the Nigerian economy.
The government has pointed to improvements in several economic indicators while acknowledging that many Nigerians are still dealing with the effects of higher living costs.
The debate over the reforms is therefore expected to remain a major issue as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
For Dalung, the central question is whether economic progress being reported by the government is translating into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.
His comments have added to the wider political conversation over the government’s record, public accountability and how Nigerians assess economic performance ahead of the next election.