Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, warning that the administration’s “harsh neoliberal policies” have intensified poverty and effectively erased Nigeria’s middle class.
Falana, speaking during an appearance on Politics Today aired on Channels Television on Monday, said the President’s key reforms—particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and currency liberalisation—have worsened the cost-of-living crisis for millions of Nigerians.
“I have seen the President ask APC governors to ‘wet the ground’ more, but as far as the masses are concerned, things are getting tougher by the day,” Falana said. “The President is aware that Nigerians across the country are complaining. Because of the religious implementation of neoliberal policies by the government, poverty is on the rise. That will require a review of these policies.”
He condemned the government’s continued push for privatisation, stating that it contradicts the goal of reducing income inequality. According to him, transferring national assets to a few individuals in the name of privatisation undermines economic justice.
“You cannot be addressing income inequality in a country while handing over the nation’s resources to a few people,” he said. “Most Nigerians cannot afford three square meals a day. The middle class has been wiped out by the neoliberal policies of the government.”
Falana urged the administration to “go back to the drawing board” and re-evaluate its policy direction, particularly those influenced by global financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
“It is in the interest of the government to review its policies as soon as possible,” he said.
He also called for urgent legal support for social welfare programmes to cushion the growing hardship. Referencing the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), which was codified under the Social Investment Programme Agency Act in 2023, Falana emphasized the need for proper implementation.
“To eradicate poverty, we must begin by implementing welfare laws,” he said.
The NSIP comprises various initiatives, including N-Power, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, school feeding schemes, and conditional cash transfers to vulnerable households.
“President Tinubu should be able to persuade the governors to codify social investment programmes and enact them into law,” he added.
