Jide Kosoko defends Tinubu, urges Nigerians to give him more time

Veteran Nigerian actor and filmmaker, Prince Jide Kosoko, has appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, amid growing public calls for the President to address worsening economic hardships and systemic insecurity.

In an interview with FeelrighnewsTV, the actor explained that governance is a gradual process that cannot be judged instantaneously.
He said, “If you are building a house, you cannot assess such a building and give it a pass mark until the building is completed.” Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not God. That means he cannot be perfect”.

Prince Jide Kosoko, a member of the Lagos royal family, has been a cornerstone of the Nigerian entertainment industry for nearly 60 years. His career began in 1964 as a child actor in the television production Makanjuola. Over the subsequent decades, he transitioned from a child performer to a prolific director, producer, and mentor, helping to shape the foundations of Nollywood, particularly within the Yoruba-language cinema sector.

Kosoko’s influence extends beyond the screen; he is a former president of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) and currently serves as the board chairman of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN).Throughout his career, he has appeared in over 200 films, ranging from early classics like Asiri Nla (1992) to modern hits such as King of Boys (2018) and Anikulapo (2024), establishing himself as a respected figure whose commentary often reflects a deep connection to the national discourse.

The call for patience comes at a time when the Tinubu administration is facing significant pressure from citizens due to a complex array of challenges. The nation is faced with high rates of food inflation, which has severely impacted the affordability of food like grains, tubers, and cereals for the average Nigerian. Also, the country is currently contending with persistent security threats, including kidnappings, which have heightened public anxiety and led to widespread calls for effective government intervention.

In response to these grievances, the Tinubu administration has maintained that it is actively working to stabilize the economy and restore security. The government previously declared a state of emergency on food security, a policy framework designed to address supply shortages and stabilize prices through the release of strategic reserves and the suspension of tariffs on imported grains.

While some voices within the government maintain that these interventions are beginning to have a direct impact on food costs, many Nigerians remain skeptical, citing the continued struggle to afford basic livelihood items.