News Report:
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over claims that Nigeria’s economy is performing better than that of Kenya.
The rebuttal follows recent remarks by Tinubu, who stated that petrol prices in Nigeria are lower than those in Kenya and several other African countries.
Responding through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the comparison as “shallow” and misleading, arguing that it fails to reflect the economic realities faced by Nigerians.
He questioned the rationale behind using fuel prices as a benchmark for economic comfort, insisting that more critical indicators such as purchasing power, income levels, and overall cost of living should be considered.
According to Atiku, despite relatively lower petrol prices, Nigeria remains more expensive to live in than Kenya when broader economic factors are taken into account.
“Yes, petrol prices in Nigeria may appear lower than in countries like Kenya or South Africa, but this comparison collapses when placed against economic realities,” the statement read.
He further argued that the cost of living in Nigeria is significantly higher relative to average income, placing a heavier burden on citizens.
Atiku also highlighted disparities in earnings, noting that Kenya’s minimum wage is considerably higher than Nigeria’s.
He stated that a minimum wage earner in Nairobi takes home the equivalent of about ₦170,000, more than double Nigeria’s ₦70,000, adding that Kenya’s GDP per capita is nearly twice that of Nigeria.
The former vice president warned that focusing on isolated metrics such as fuel prices risks obscuring the broader economic challenges confronting Nigerians.
