In a frank and sobering interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, prominent politician and veteran journalist Dele Momodu has voiced deep concerns over Nigeria’s future under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Momodu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former presidential candidate, said he sees no hope for significant change in Nigeria’s economic condition, despite repeated assurances from the government.
The outspoken media mogul expressed his views on the state of the nation and the economic challenges facing Nigerians, casting doubt on the ability of the current administration to fulfill its promises and improve the lives of the suffering masses.
During his appearance on Politics Today on Monday, Momodu offered a grim assessment of Nigeria’s current trajectory. He stated that he doesn’t see any signs of a brighter future for the country, despite the bold promises being made by political leaders.
“I’ve lived long enough in this country called Nigeria. I’ve listened to all the sweet talks by politicians. I have yet to see the sign of that light at the end of the tunnel,” Momodu said, making it clear that his skepticism is rooted in years of observing political leaders make similar promises without delivering tangible results.
Momodu’s remarks come at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with harsh economic realities, including inflation, high fuel prices, and rising unemployment. The removal of fuel subsidies earlier this year, combined with currency devaluation and increasing poverty levels, has left millions of Nigerians questioning when, or if, relief will come.
In recent months, the Tinubu administration has repeatedly promised to turn things around for Nigeria. Just last week, Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, assured citizens that the federal government was working hard to improve the country’s economic situation and alleviate the suffering of the people.
Bagudu stated that the government is determined to change the narrative and is implementing measures aimed at stabilizing the economy and enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians.
However, these assurances have done little to quell growing doubts from Nigerians like Momodu, who feel that they have heard similar pledges from previous administrations without seeing meaningful change.
“I’m not going to argue with them,” Momodu said of the government’s promises. “I wish them the best of luck because I want Nigeria to be good. It’s not in my interest for Nigeria to collapse.”
Momodu’s skepticism is not unique. Many Nigerians share his frustration with a cycle of unfulfilled promises from political leaders, who often pledge to revamp the economy, create jobs, and improve infrastructure but fail to deliver.
“I have listened to them over and over again,” Momodu remarked, referring to the speeches and promises made by those in power. He argued that Nigerians are tired of empty words and want to see real, actionable change in their daily lives.
Economic challenges in Nigeria have been persistent, with many citizens facing hardships on a daily basis. The removal of fuel subsidies earlier this year sparked widespread discontent, leading to sharp increases in transportation costs and food prices, further straining household budgets. The government’s economic reforms, although presented as necessary for long-term stability, have yet to provide much-needed relief to ordinary Nigerians.
One of the most striking parts of Momodu’s comments was his criticism of those surrounding President Tinubu. He expressed doubts about whether many of the people in key positions are truly committed to bringing about the necessary changes for Nigeria’s development.
“I doubt that much will come out of what is going on because even the people surrounding the President, most of them are not ready for the change,” Momodu said.
This sentiment reflects a broader concern among Nigerians who worry that the country’s political elite are more interested in preserving their power and wealth than in addressing the needs of the population.
Momodu, who ran for president in 2011, has spent decades closely observing the Nigerian political landscape. His deep-rooted skepticism about the ability of the current government to deliver results is informed by his experience of witnessing many administrations come and go, each with similar promises of reform and progress.
As Nigeria faces numerous challenges, including a struggling economy, insecurity, and high levels of corruption, Momodu’s pessimistic outlook mirrors the feelings of many Nigerians who are growing increasingly disillusioned with the country’s leadership.
“At my age, I’m almost giving up on anything happening from them because we can see the signs,” Momodu said, conveying his frustration with the state of the nation.
He went on to explain that while he wishes the Tinubu administration well, he believes that unless there is a radical shift in the way things are done, Nigeria is unlikely to see the meaningful change that is needed to improve the lives of its people.
“If they do it well, Nigerians will applaud them. But if they don’t, those coming after them will also tell them the same thing they’re talking about Buhari now,” he added.
Momodu’s reference to the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari reflects a sentiment shared by many Nigerians, who feel that successive governments have failed to live up to their promises. During his time in office, Buhari’s administration faced similar criticism for failing to significantly improve the country’s economic conditions, despite coming into power on a wave of hope and optimism in 2015.
