Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has pushed back against claims by young Nigerians that the country’s economy is worse than before. He insisted that Nigeria has actually made progress over the years.
Speaking during an interview shared by African Independent Television, Olayinka noted that many young citizens only started feeling the pinch because they became adults. He explained that their parents handled their financial needs when they were children, but maturity brought real personal expenses.
Olayinka said many members of Generation Z did not understand how tough things were in the past because they were fully sheltered by their families. He stated that taking up personal responsibility as independent adults is what changed their view of the country.
To support his argument, the aide highlighted how modern technology has opened up fresh income avenues for today's youth, according to Punch. He compared current digital realities with his earlier years as a working journalist.
Olayinka recalled that he once had to journey by road from Bauchi to Jos just to uplink news reports. He also pointed out that recorded footage had to be physically delivered on VHS tapes to television stations back then.
Today, he argued, technological progress allows young people to produce creative content and make money right from their living rooms. He stressed that these lucrative digital tools were completely unavailable to previous generations when they were growing up.
The media aide also urged the public to drop the constant complaints about hardship and hunger in the country. He noted that even with existing economic hurdles, many citizens are actively building new houses across Nigeria.
Olayinka added that challenges like homelessness also happen in advanced nations, arguing that the true role of the government is to build an enabling environment where citizens can thrive.
