Nigeria: Tinubu Addressing Longstanding Challenges, Barau Replies Osinbajo

What the report says

Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is taking steps to confront Nigeria’s longstanding problems, responding to remarks by former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at a public lecture in Yola, Adamawa State. The event, held on Tuesday and tied to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s 59th birthday, focused on democracy, development and leadership.

According to the Daily Trust report distributed by AllAfrica, Osinbajo raised concerns about democratic performance across Africa, citing Afrobarometer survey findings on public dissatisfaction, economic hardship, weak confidence in institutions and declining youth participation in politics. He also pointed to high levels of concern about living costs, unemployment, healthcare access and voter turnout.

Barau described the lecture as insightful, but argued that the bleak picture painted by the surveys did not fully reflect current government efforts. He said one problem was poor communication between leaders and citizens, making it harder for people to see ongoing action. He pointed to federal and state efforts in education, infrastructure and economic development as examples of responses to the issues raised.

He specifically mentioned expanded access to schooling through the NELFUND initiative and ongoing road projects, including major highway schemes, as part of a broader attempt to improve livelihoods and support growth. The exchange is notable because it reflects a wider debate in Nigeria about whether government reforms are producing visible results and how well those efforts are being explained to the public.