The Presidency on Monday described Nigeria as a “very very poor” country, given its low per capita income, compared to other African nations.
“Nigeria is a very very poor country, to be honest. I think our wealth is overestimated,” Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said when he appeared as a Special Guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time.
While answering a question on the state of Nigeria’s economy and the administration’s efforts to ensure stability, the presidential aide said, “I think we have a poor estimation of the wealth of the country, we are a very poor country.”
He added that with the removal of subsidies on petrol and the unification of the exchange rate, the administration “is hoping that the pressure on our finances will reduce.”
Onanuga also refuted claims that the Tinubu-led government still owes emoluments to its federal workers.
“The office of the AGF has said there is a challenge with the platform being used to disburse the salaries.
“According to a briefing I got this morning, yes, salaries were delayed, but all federal workers have been paid,” he stated.
With three years of experience, Stephen, The PUNCH correspondent, has been covering Nigeria’s presidency, politics, security, immigration and trafficking in persons
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