Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has cautioned President Bola Tinubu that increases in Nigeria’s foreign-exchange reserves do little for citizens who cannot afford food, urging the Federal Government to make living conditions the central measure of its economic policy.
Makinde made the remarks on Saturday in Lagos during the formal inauguration of the Makinde and Daura for Better Nigeria, known as the MAD Resetter Movement.
The governor said the Federal Government’s references to stronger external reserves carry little value while large numbers of Nigerians continue to face poverty and food shortages. “Reserve figures will not put food on the table for hungry Nigerians,” he told Tinubu.
He argued that current economic conditions show that average citizens have yet to experience the benefits of the administration’s reform programme.
Makinde called on the president to place greater emphasis on measures with a direct effect on households, rather than relying on headline economic indicators.
He said the sharp rise in the cost of living has left many families unable to buy essential food products.
The Oyo governor urged the Tinubu administration to put food security and employment generation ahead of the 2027 general election.
