The Presidency has replied to a newspaper editorial it described as exaggerated and unfair. Presidential aide Sunday Dare said the government accepts honest criticism but it must be based on facts, not “selective pessimism.” He admitted there are economic challenges but stressed that current policies aim to create a stable and prosperous future for Nigerians.
Dare explained that the hunger figures quoted in the report were only a worst-case forecast, not the present reality. He listed steps taken to improve food security, such as releasing and buying over 159,000 metric tons of grains, setting up the Food Security Council, and giving emergency nutrition aid in several northern states. He also said the naira has improved from ₦1,800/$ in March 2024 to ₦1,525/$ in August 2025 due to higher oil revenue, investor confidence, and clearing of forex backlogs.
He dismissed claims that the school feeding programme has stopped, noting that over 9.8 million pupils still get meals, with 200,000 cooks and farmers benefiting. He added that three million households have received ₦75,000 each, almost 400,000 students are on tuition loans, and the new Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme will boost jobs, infrastructure, and food security nationwide.
