The Cost of Living Crisis: A plea to President Tinubu

…As nation’s hope dashed to despair says concerned citizens

His Excellency,
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR,
The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

An Open Letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

Dear Mr. President,

I write to you as a concerned and weary citizen of Nigeria, echoing the voices of millions who are struggling to make sense of the present reality. The nation is gripped by a deep sense of frustration and uncertainty, as the cost of living continues to skyrocket and the value of our hard-earned money diminishes daily.

During your Swaga ‘23 campaign, you promised us a renewed hope, a promise that inspired many to believe that a brighter future was on the horizon. But now, many are beginning to wonder if that hope was just a dream. Should we still be hopeful, Mr. President? When will we see the tangible changes that were promised?

Today, the price of essential goods has become almost unbearable. A Congo of rice costs ₦2,800, garri is ₦1,700, a kilogram of cooking gas is ₦1,200, and a liter of petrol fluctuates between ₦950 and ₦1,000 as today. House rents are soaring, transportation costs are climbing, and even the Nigerian passport has seen a price hike. You told us that the subsidy was gone, but where are the dividends from the NNPCL and others that were supposed to cushion this blow?

The majority of Nigerians are not happy, Mr. President. You’ve asked us to keep managing, but how can we manage when the cost of living is pushing us to the brink? While we struggle, reports emerge of you buying bulletproof cars, private jet, and billion-naira renovations to official residences and some huge spending. These actions send a troubling message to the people who entrusted you with the leadership of this great nation.

What is the way out of this crisis, Mr. President? We are tired, and we look to you for solutions. The security and welfare of Nigerians should be your top priority, not merely offering temporary relief in the form of rice handouts. We need you to address the root causes of our economic woes and restore dignity to our daily lives.

A popular comedian, Ayodeji Richard Makun, also known as AY, recently voiced the collective despair of the people when he wrote, “Being a Nigerian just gets tougher and tougher by minutes.” This is the reality for many, and it raises a crucial question: Will your presidency be remembered as a time of progress or as a period of regret?

Mr. President, you once told us not to pity you because you requested the responsibility of leading Nigeria. Yet, as things stand, it seems we are left to pity ourselves, questioning whether you have the capacity to lead us to the promised land. When will that promise be fulfilled?

We are counting on you to bring us out of this crisis and to restore hope in the hearts of Nigerians. We are tired, but we have not yet given up. Please, do something—before it’s too late.

Thank you in advance as we await the positive changes we so desperately need.

Sincerely,

Peter Olasupo Captain P2
A Concerned Nigerian Citizen