Jide Kosoko blames years of poor planning for Nigeria’s current challenges

Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has defended President Bola Tinubu’s administration despite the economic hardship facing Nigerians, insisting that the country’s problems are not as bad as some people portray them and urging voters to give the president another term.

Kosoko said Tinubu was working to address Nigeria’s longstanding challenges, arguing that years of inadequate planning by previous administrations had contributed to the difficulties confronting the country today.

The actor made the remarks during an interview on Talk To B, a podcast hosted by actress Biola Adebayo, where he discussed the state of the nation, the government’s economic policies and the criticism directed at the president.

He maintained that although many Nigerians were struggling, the administration should be assessed in light of the problems it inherited and the reforms it had introduced.

Kosoko also called on Nigerians to allow Tinubu to complete the work he had started, expressing confidence that the president’s policies would eventually yield positive results.

The veteran actor defended the removal of the petrol subsidy, acknowledging the financial pressure it had placed on Nigerians but arguing that the previous arrangement was no longer sustainable.

He said successive administrations had failed to resolve the issue, leaving the current government to confront a problem that had persisted for years.

Kosoko argued that the money Nigerians spent on petrol would still be needed to meet other obligations, including school fees, household expenses and business costs.

His position comes as the removal of the subsidy continues to generate debate over its impact on transport fares, food prices and the purchasing power of households.

While the Federal Government has defended its economic reforms as necessary to address structural weaknesses, many citizens continue to demand policies that translate into lower living costs and improved living standards.

Kosoko also cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as an example of a government initiative that could help reduce the financial burden on families by providing eligible students with access to education loans.

He urged beneficiaries of government programmes to speak publicly about their experiences, saying this could help Nigerians better understand the effects of the administration’s policies.

The actor maintained that government performance should not be judged solely by the distribution of food items or other immediate relief, arguing that broader policies and programmes should also be considered.

He nevertheless acknowledged that the economic situation remained difficult for many Nigerians.

Kosoko, a supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tinubu, called for the president’s re-election, arguing that the administration should be given more time to implement its policies.

He also criticised opposition figures who have challenged the government’s performance, suggesting that political interests influence some of the criticism directed at the president.

The Tinubu administration has defended the reforms as necessary to strengthen public finances and improve the economy, while critics continue to question how quickly their benefits will reach ordinary households.