– laments Nigerians are suffering
Osun State Civil Societies Coalition (OSCSC), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to meaningfully address the worrisome hunger and insecurity in the country.
It made the call through its chairman, Comrade (Dr.) Waheed Lawal, who decried the increasing level of hardship across the country, saying that the Tinubu administration has so far failed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
He spoke in an interview on reaction to
the President’s nationwide address marking his two-year anniversary in office which claimed that his administration had recorded undeniable achievements in the areas of the economy, infrastructure, and security.
To Lawal, two years into the Tinubu administration, Nigerians have little or nothing to celebrate, as expectations remain largely unmet.
According to him, “I feel it is important to speak honestly, not just as the Chairman of the Osun State Civil Societies Coalition, but as a Nigerian who walks the same streets, buys from the same markets, and hears the cries of ordinary people every day.
“When this government came into power, many of us, though cautious, were willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. We understood that the country was grappling with deep structural issues and that difficult decisions might be necessary.
“But what we’ve witnessed over the past two years is a government that has embraced economic shock therapy without providing a safety net for the masses.
“The fuel subsidy was removed, the naira was floated, and new taxes were introduced all at once.
“The result? Food prices have tripled, transportation costs have soared, and civil servants have become poorer overnight. Even small-scale traders now live from hand to mouth, unable to restock their wares or feed their families.
“This is not economic reform it is economic punishment for the poor.”
Also, he criticised the government’s stance on inflation and economic hardship, questioning who bears the real burden of the so-called progress.
“Government officials claim that inflation is the price we must pay for progress. But I ask: is it the elites who are paying this price, or the market woman in Osogbo who skips meals so her children can go to school?
“Is it the technocrats in air-conditioned offices in Abuja, or the farmer in Ife who can’t afford fertilizer, transport, or security for his produce?
“Reforms, no matter how technically sound, lose their meaning when they result in hunger, hopelessness, and despair”, he regretted.
On the issue of security, the OSCSC Chairman noted that while there may be improvements in some regions, many Nigerians still live in fear.
He said, “Security remains fragile. Yes, some areas have seen progress, but too many parts of Nigeria are still bleeding. Banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes are not just headlines—they are daily nightmares for real people.
“It’s one thing to say our security forces are ‘doing their best.’ It’s another to ensure that citizens in Zamfara, Benue, Plateau, and even here in Osun feel safe in their homes and on their roads.
“For every child kidnapped and every farmer murdered, a piece of Nigeria dies. Our youth — intelligent, vibrant, and qualified — are fleeing the country in record numbers. Not because they hate Nigeria, but because Nigeria keeps failing them.”
Lawal urged President Tinubu to shift focus toward policies that are people-centred and grounded in compassion.
“I want to believe that President Tinubu still has time to adjust his approach. Two years remain in his mandate. There is still room for humility, for inclusive governance, and for people-oriented policies. But the window is closing, and Nigerians are running out of patience.
“Hope is becoming a luxury many can no longer afford. This is not about opposition politics or activism for its own sake. It is about truth, empathy, and the duty of leaders to protect, not punish, the people they serve.”
He called on the President to step out of the “echo chambers of Aso Rock” and connect with the realities faced by everyday Nigerians.
“I urge the President to step outside the echo chambers of Aso Rock and truly listen—to the suffering in our streets, markets, classrooms, and hospitals. Let him feel the pulse of the nation beyond policy memos and spreadsheets.
“We want a government that works not just for statistics, but for people. A Nigeria where reforms are based on compassion—not just theory. Where the goal is not just growth, but justice. That is the Nigeria I fight for. And I will continue to raise my voice until it becomes a reality”, he said.
