Two years into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the question haunting millions of Nigerians remains brutally simple: has life gotten better or worse? On May 29, 2023, Tinubu rode into office on a wave of “Renewed Hope.” But two years on, that hope feels more like a haunting echo to many.
The removal of fuel subsidy was Tinubu’s flagship move. Government officials celebrated it as bold and necessary. It led to a 50% reduction in petrol importation, and the administration claimed that billions were saved. But while the books may look better in Abuja, life on the streets tells another story. Pump prices soared from ₦185 to over ₦600 per litre in most states. Transport fares tripled, and food inflation hit a 15-year high, with the price of staples like garri, rice, and bread doubling in just under 18 months. The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a food inflation rate of over 40% as of April 2025, yet minimum wage still stands at ₦30,000 for most workers—barely enough to survive a week in urban areas.
Forex unification was another major reform. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) floated the naira, allowing market forces to dictate its value. Investors initially reacted positively, and foreign reserves surged to nearly $42 billion. But the naira depreciated rapidly, exchanging at over ₦1,400 to the dollar at its peak. Despite CBN’s efforts to stabilize the currency, the devaluation drove up the cost of imports, further compounding inflation. The headline inflation rate now stands at 33.69%, according to the NBS. Meanwhile, millions of Nigerians struggle to afford essentials, and small businesses are being suffocated by high input costs.
The administration has announced progress on infrastructure, including the much-hyped Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Billions of naira have been allocated, contractors named, and images of bulldozers have been circulated. However, as of today, only a handful of kilometers have been cleared. Critics argue that the project risks becoming another white elephant if transparency and timelines are not strictly enforced.
In response to rising hunger, the federal government announced the distribution of emergency grains and fertilizer palliatives. But these efforts have been criticized as both insufficient and poorly managed. Reports from states such as Kano, Benue, and Rivers indicate that many rural communities never saw a single bag of the promised grains. Meanwhile, food queues and malnutrition are increasingly visible across urban slums and IDP camps.
Security remains a paradox. While some regions, especially in the South West and South East, have recorded fewer high-profile attacks, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence still plague the North and parts of the Middle Belt. Over 4,800 Nigerians have been killed or abducted between June 2023 and April 2025, according to figures from SBM Intelligence. The security architecture remains overstretched, underfunded, and riddled with allegations of corruption and inefficiency.
On the economic front, GDP grew by 2.98% in Q1 2025, marginally better than the same period in 2024. But this growth is not inclusive. Unemployment remains high—officially around 5% due to a new methodology, but analysts estimate the real figure to be closer to 30% if underemployment and informal labor are factored in. Youth unemployment, in particular, continues to fuel migration, cybercrime, and social unrest.
Two years down, Tinubu has initiated reforms that look good on policy papers and economic graphs. But for the average Nigerian—fighting to pay rent, struggling to feed their family, trekking to work, or sitting in darkness due to grid collapse—the question remains painfully real: what has changed?
Yes, foreign investors are circling. Yes, international commendations are coming in. But is the common man seeing the benefit of this Renewed Hope, or is it just Renewed Hardship dressed in eloquent press briefings and staged media tours?
Nigerians deserve answers. They deserve leaders who don’t just measure success in GDP or Forex reserves but in how well citizens can live, eat, and sleep without fear. As the third year of this administration begins, the people are not asking for miracles—just dignity, justice, and a chance at survival.
So, we ask again: in two years of Tinubu’s presidency, has Nigeria risen—or are we just sinking in style?
