PLEASE MY FELLOW NIGERIANS, LET US STOP SEEING PRESIDENT TINUBU AS A BAD MAN: HOW THIS GOVERNMENT TAUGHT ME SURVIVAL AND FREED ME FROM FEAR OF HUNGER - NWASIR AGUWA.

 
                                   

Please My Fellow Nigerians, Let Us Stop Seeing President Tinubu as a Bad Man: How This Government Taught Me Survival and Freed Me From Fear of Hunger

Introduction

Nigeria is a country where politics divides us more than it unites us. Every election cycle, we find ourselves taking sides, defending candidates, or criticizing leaders. Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came into office, many Nigerians have openly expressed anger, frustration, and disappointment. Fuel subsidy removal, rising cost of living, naira fluctuations, and hardship have dominated headlines. It is true that people are suffering, and it is not easy to survive in today’s Nigeria.

But amidst all of this, I want to share a different perspective. Please my fellow Nigerians, let us stop seeing Tinubu as a bad man. This is not a political defense or a paid article. Rather, it is a personal reflection on how this government has unexpectedly taught me resilience, discipline, and survival skills that I never thought I had. For the first time in my life, I can boldly say I am no longer afraid of hunger.

This article is long, because it is more than just commentary. It is my story, our story, and perhaps a call for all of us to look at our challenges with a new lens. Sometimes, what feels like punishment is preparation. Sometimes, a leader’s unpopular decisions create citizens who are stronger, wiser, and more capable of surviving anywhere in the world.

Chapter One: The Pain We All Felt

No Nigerian can deny that the removal of fuel subsidy hit us hard. Overnight, transportation doubled, food prices skyrocketed, and salaries became like pocket change. Those who were managing before suddenly fell into poverty. Families had to make painful decisions—cutting meals, changing diets, or withdrawing children from expensive schools.

The cost of living humbled us. Some of us who were used to three meals a day had to adjust to one or two. Others who relied on convenience foods had to return to cooking from scratch. Even middle-class Nigerians discovered that their status was only on paper. Suddenly, no one was too big to hustle.

It is easy, and natural, to point fingers at the government and call Tinubu a bad man. But the question I began asking myself was: What do I do now? Do I keep complaining, or do I adapt?

Chapter Two: When Complaints Could Not Buy Food

Like many Nigerians, my first reaction was anger. Every day on social media, I joined the chorus of complaints:

• “This government is wicked.”

• “They don’t care about the poor.”

• “Tinubu is destroying Nigeria.”

But soon, reality humbled me. Complaints could not put food on my table. Arguments on Twitter could not pay my transport fare. Anger could not fill my cooking gas. I realized I was spending more energy cursing the government than actually trying to find solutions for myself.

That was when I decided: If hunger is in Nigeria, it will not catch me. If survival is now a game, I will play it better.

Chapter Three: Discovering My Hidden Strengths

Something interesting happened. This government pushed me out of my comfort zone.

• I learned to cook cheaper meals with creativity—swapping rice for potatoes, beans, or even garri when necessary.

• I discovered the art of bulk buying and storing food, saving me money.

• I started taking small side hustles I would have once looked down on.

• I learned to live without luxuries—cutting down subscriptions, reducing outings, and focusing only on necessities.

• I was no longer afraid of eating once a day, actually this government has trained my stomach and entire body system.

In short, I became disciplined.

For the first time, I realized that survival is not about how much you earn but how you manage what you have. This new Nigerian reality forced me to learn survival strategies that I can now use anywhere in the world.

Chapter Four: The Gift of Hustle Spirit

Nigerians have always been known as hustlers, but this government has multiplied that spirit. Suddenly, everyone is an entrepreneur. People who never imagined themselves in business are now selling foodstuff, clothes, or offering digital services.

I personally discovered freelancing. Instead of waiting for salary, I used my skills online to earn in dollars. I realized that hunger in Nigeria can be turned into motivation for global opportunities.

In the midst of suffering, we discovered creativity. Nigerians began making soap, planting vegetables, baking bread, and finding ways to earn extra cash. Instead of sitting idle, people are now building multiple streams of income.

If Tinubu had not removed subsidy and forced reality upon us, many of us would still be lazy, comfortable, and dependent on one income.

Chapter Five: No Longer Afraid of Hunger

The most powerful lesson I learned is that hunger is not something to fear. Hunger teaches you to think. Hunger pushes you to innovate. Hunger humbles you. Hunger forces you to grow.

Today, I can boldly say: even if you drop me in a strange land with no money, I will survive. I have learned how to manage, how to hustle, how to find opportunities, and how to live with little.

That confidence is priceless. It is the gift this government has given me.

Chapter Six: The Danger of Blame Culture

My fellow Nigerians, let us be honest: we love to blame government for everything. If NEPA takes light, it is government. If food is expensive, it is government. If we fail exams, it is government.

Yes, leadership affects us. Yes, policies matter. But must we spend all our time complaining instead of acting? Our grandparents survived harsher conditions without social media to complain on.

If all we do is see Tinubu as a bad man, we blind ourselves to the lessons and opportunities hidden in the hardship. We become bitter instead of better.

Chapter Seven: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Do I think Tinubu is perfect? No. Do I think his government has made life harder? Yes. But sometimes, leaders make painful decisions for long-term gain. Subsidy removal was necessary. Restructuring is necessary. Diversification is necessary.

If we only focus on the pain, we miss the growth. If we only complain, we miss the creativity. This is why I say: please, my fellow Nigerians, let us stop seeing Tinubu as a bad man. Let us instead ask: how can we turn this situation into strength?

Chapter Eight: The Nigeria That Will Emerge

I believe this period will produce the toughest generation of Nigerians. Young people are learning skills, starting businesses, and creating global opportunities. Farmers are returning to the land. People are learning digital work. Families are learning financial discipline.

A nation is not built on comfort. It is built on struggle, sacrifice, and survival. What we are going through may be the foundation of a stronger Nigeria.

Chapter Nine: A Personal Testimony

Before 2023, I was dependent, wasteful, and fearful of the future. Today, I am independent, disciplined, and confident. I can live anywhere, survive anything, and adapt to any challenge.

That is why I no longer see Tinubu as a bad man. Instead, I see this government as a teacher. A tough teacher, yes, but a teacher nonetheless.

Chapter Ten: A Call to My Fellow Nigerians

So I say this with humility: please my fellow Nigerians, let us stop seeing Tinubu as a bad man. Let us instead look inward. Let us build ourselves. Let us adapt, hustle, survive, and thrive.

This government may not give us free food, but it has given us survival skills. It may not give us constant comfort, but it has given us strength. It may not make us laugh, but it has made us resilient.

The question is: will we waste this lesson on endless complaints, or will we use it to become stronger individuals and a stronger nation?

Conclusion

I know many will disagree with me. Some will call me naïve, others will say I am defending the government. But I am not writing to defend anyone. I am writing to share my truth: I am no longer afraid of hunger, because this government has taught me how to survive.

If hardship has made me wiser, then it is not wasted. If struggle has made me stronger, then it is a blessing.

So, my fellow Nigerians, let us stop seeing Tinubu only as a bad man. Let us see the lessons, the opportunities, and the strength this season has given us. Together, we can survive, adapt, and build the Nigeria of our dreams.