Former Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion Worldwide, Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, has challenged the Federal Government to acknowledge the hardship facing millions of Nigerians instead of denying the severity of the economic situation.
Idowu-Fearon said many Nigerians are struggling to afford food and other basic necessities amid the continuing rise in the cost of living.
The bishop questioned whether ordinary Nigerians are actually benefiting from increased government revenues and allocations to states and local governments.
He asked where the additional funds were going if millions of citizens remained unable to afford basic household needs.
According to the cleric, some Nigerians are now surviving on only one meal a day and are struggling to maintain a balanced diet.
He pointed to the sharp rise in the prices of everyday household items as evidence of the pressure being experienced by families.
As an example, he recalled being told that an item that previously sold for around N500 was now being sold for about N5,000.
He also expressed concern about electricity supply, saying his residence had experienced prolonged periods without public power.
Rather than dismissing the concerns, Idowu-Fearon urged the government to communicate more clearly with Nigerians about its economic policies and explain the measures being taken to reduce the burden on households.
His intervention comes amid continuing national debate over the impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy and foreign-exchange reforms.
While the Federal Government has maintained that its reforms are intended to stabilise the economy and create the foundation for long-term growth, many households continue to complain about high food prices and declining purchasing power.
Idowu-Fearon’s remarks add to growing calls from religious, civil society and economic voices for the government to ensure that economic reforms translate into tangible improvements in living conditions.