Sixty-four years after Independence, Nigerians are perplexed by the lavish lifestyles of the political elite in contrast to the daily struggles of the majority who eat from hand to mouth.
Despite being Africa’s biggest oil producer, the nation is grappling with an economic crisis, marked by high inflation, unemployment, and multidimensional poverty. Yet, government officials continue to indulge in luxurious spending, seemingly disconnected from the sufferings of ordinary citizens.
A Nation in Economic Crisis
Nigeria’s economic woes are deepening. Inflation has surged to record highs despite slowing for the second consecutive month to 32.15 percent in August 2024. Food inflation, which makes up over half of the total, stood at 37.52 percent.
Since Independence, Nigeria has experienced a series of high inflation, reaching a staggering 73 percent in 1995 under Sani Abacha, former head of state. However, the current economic crisis is a mixed bag of high inflation, crippling interest rates, factory shut-downs, multinationals’ exits, naira slump, high petrol costs, and insecurity.
The living conditions of citizens remain dire, with essential commodities such as rice, beans, and bread becoming increasingly unaffordable.
Nigeria, a nation with over 220 million people, has more than 24 million people who are food insecure and hungry, according to the 2024 Global Report on Food Crises.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 133 million Nigerians—63 percent of the population—are now classified as multidimensionally poor, struggling with limited access to basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare.
“Over half of the population of Nigeria are multidimensionally poor and cook with dung, wood or charcoal, rather than cleaner energy. High deprivations are also apparent nationally in sanitation, time to healthcare, food insecurity, and housing,” NBS said in its 2022 report.
The country’s unemployment rate continues to rise, exacerbating the situation. At the same time, Nigeria’s debt profile has ballooned, with public debt reaching N121.67 trillion ($91.46 billion) in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, up from N97.34 trillion in the last quarter (Q4) of 2023.
Presidential extravagance amidst economic struggles
Despite the dire economic situation, the presidency has come under fire for its extravagant spending.
In the past 16 months, the government has spent $100 million (N160 billion) on a new presidential jet, N5 billion on a luxury yacht, and billions more on luxury vehicles.
This spending has sparked public outrage, with many questioning the government’s priorities in the face of widespread poverty.
A recent report entitled, ‘Presidential Air Fleet Transit Funds,’ revealed that N14.77 billion was spent on maintaining the presidential fleet between July 2023 and May 2024.
The renovation of the vice president’s residence cost N15 billion, while N1.5 billion was allocated for vehicles for the Office of the First Lady, who reportedly spent N701 million on foreign trips over three months.
Also, the presidency spent N9.2 billion on vehicles between March and May 2024, and N366 million on tyres, with N236.5 million of that going towards bulletproof tyres, BusinessDay findings reveal.
The National Assembly, expected to act as a check on the executive, has also faced criticism for its excessive spending.
In 2023, the legislature purchased Toyota Land Cruisers and Toyota Prados worth N68.52 billion for its 469 members, while their constituents struggled for survival.
Lawmakers continue to receive large monthly allocations, further widening the gap between the rulers and the ruled. Senior legislators such as senators receive N21 million monthly, as revealed by Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South in the Senate.
“It’s insulting to the people who are starving, struggling to survive, and facing a future of economic uncertainty,” said an analyst on the political economy who does not want to be mentioned. “This isn’t just wasteful; it sends a message that the sufferings of the masses do not matter.”
Governors live in luxury as poverty grows
At the state level, governors also continue to indulge in lavish lifestyles while their constituents suffer.
John Enemari, a public affairs analyst, criticised state governors for failing to improve infrastructure, despite receiving significant federal funds.
He noted that states such as Abia, Anambra, and Enugu, which have received significant increases in federal allocations, still owe workers up to six months’ salaries.
“If the governors really deploy these resources as efficiently as necessary, the issues of struggling to pay salaries won’t arise,” Enemari, a member of the African Liberation Movement, said.
In Borno, a state that recently experienced severe flooding, a paltry N20 million was allocated for flood control in 2024, while N1.407 billion was budgeted for lawmakers’ allowances.
Despite receiving N815.9 million in ecological funds, the state failed to take meaningful action to prevent flooding, which killed dozens and displaced hundreds of people.
The private jet culture
Many governors prefer to travel in chartered or private jets, with state funds footing the bill. In some cases, governors own multiple luxury vehicles, including bulletproof cars.
While many citizens face the dangers of kidnappers and bandits on Nigeria’s crumbling roads, their governors enjoy the comfort of private jets, which can cost between $7,000 to $10,000 per hour to charter.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently revealed that a former governor, who faces corruption charges, spent N1.61 billion chartering private jets in four years.
Recently, Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, a state with a 78 percent poverty rate, was lambasted on social media for riding a 2025 BMW 760i worth $145,355 (N232.6 million).
“You can’t be in a luxurious BMW and think for the poor,” Sultan of Abuja, an X user, said while reacting to the picture.
While the governor may have acquired it with his personal funds, analysts said the picture did not reflect the mood of the people.
Nigeria’s deep-rooted corruption is further underscored by the Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perception Index, which ranks the country 145th out of 180 nations.
The widening gap between rulers, the ruled
The growing inequality between Nigeria’s ruling class and the general population is more evident than ever.
Oxfam recently reported that Nigeria has one of the world’s highest levels of inequality, with a small elite controlling much of the country’s wealth, while the majority languish in poverty.
This inequality is not just a result of economic policies but is also driven by the personal choices of those in power, who prioritise their own comfort over the well-being of the people.
The actions of Nigerian leaders paint a clear picture: while the country sinks deeper into economic hardship, the elite continue to live in comfort, insulated from the harsh realities facing ordinary citizens.
This disparity is visible across the nation, where luxury convoys transport state officials through impoverished neighbourhoods.
The question remains: how long can this inequality persist before the gap becomes too wide to bridge?
(BusinessDay)
