Falana: Tinubu’s Policies Have Erased Nigeria’s Middle Class, Deepened Poverty

Abuja, Nigeria

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, asserting that his “harsh neoliberal policies” have decimated the nation’s middle class and deepened suffering for ordinary Nigerians.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Falana criticized the administration’s aggressive removal of fuel subsidies, currency unification, and broad privatization as having catastrophic social outcomes.

“Most Nigerians cannot afford three square meals a day. The middle class has been wiped out by the neoliberal policies of the government.”

Who Benefits—and Who Suffers

Falana contrasted the experiences of Nigeria’s political elite and its citizenry, highlighting that while government officials enjoy expanding prosperity, the average Nigerian is battling unprecedented economic hardship:

“For members of the government… it’s been very rosy… But for the masses of our people, things are getting tougher because they are going through an excruciating economic crisis.”

He sharply criticized the government's privatization agenda, arguing it conflicts with efforts to reduce income inequality:

“You cannot be addressing income inequality in a country while handing over the nation’s resources to a few people in the name of privatization.”

Policy Reforms: Ill‑Timed and Ill‑Considered?

Falana faulted Nichol-based prescriptions from the IMF and World Bank, calling on the government to pivot toward policies tailored to Nigeria’s socio-economic context:

Urgent reevaluation of subsidy removal and exchange rate reforms
Legal codification and enforcement of social welfare programs such as N‑Power, school feeding schemes, GEEP, and conditional cash transfers
Legislative backing and broader implementation of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP)

Pressure Mounts Amid Public Outcry

Falana’s comments reflect growing alarm over nationwide discontent. Since Tinubu assumed office in June 2023, sweeping reforms have triggered soaring inflation, severe devaluation of the naira, and deep economic hardship—fueling protests, labor strikes, and widespread criticism from civil society and opposition voices.