‘You Think Tinubu Doesn’t Know Egg, Bread Prices? He Does’ — Presidential Aide

A Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Community Engagement in the North-Central region, Dr Abiodun Essiet, has insisted that the President is fully aware of the economic hardship facing Nigerians, including the soaring prices of everyday food items such as eggs and bread.

Essiet made the remarks while speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, dismissing suggestions that journalists are the only people who understand the difficulties Nigerians are experiencing amid rising living costs.

According to her, the Federal Government receives regular feedback from communities through its engagement programmes, while members of the Federal Executive Council also brief the President on developments across the country.

“I don’t feel it’s only media people who understand what the people are facing. Some of the realities our people are experiencing are what we communicate to Mr President,” she said.

Seeking to reinforce her position, the presidential aide maintained that Tinubu was not disconnected from the realities of market prices, despite public concerns over the affordability of basic necessities.

“I usually tell people, you think Mr President doesn’t know the price of egg or bread in the market? He does, because we brief him regularly, and so do members of the Federal Executive Council,” Essiet stated.

Her comments come against the backdrop of persistent concerns over food affordability, household purchasing power and the wider cost-of-living crisis confronting Nigerians.

While the aide insisted that the President receives regular updates on economic conditions, her remarks also raise a broader question for the administration: how effectively is that information translating into policies that provide measurable relief to households struggling to afford basic food items?

For millions of Nigerians, the central issue is not simply whether the President knows the price of eggs, bread and other necessities, but whether government policies can make these commodities more affordable.

Essiet also highlighted infrastructure development, citing the planned reconstruction of the Mokwa-Bida road in Niger State as an example of the administration’s response to longstanding concerns raised by residents.

She claimed that the road was last awarded for reconstruction 46 years ago, adding that its deteriorating condition had contributed to fatal accidents involving motorists and heavy-duty vehicles.

“The last time that road was given out on contract was 46 years ago. So tell me if that is not the wish of the people,” she said.

According to Essiet, Tinubu directed that the reconstruction contract should incorporate reinforced concrete rather than conventional asphalt, a measure she suggested would address concerns about the road’s durability.

“Mr President said they should award the contract and make sure that the contract will be reinforced concrete, not just asphalt,” she added.

The presidential aide’s comments come as the administration continues to defend its economic direction amid public anxiety over food prices and household expenses. Vice President Kashim Shettima has also recently expressed optimism that food prices would ease in the coming weeks.

However, any sustained improvement in living conditions will ultimately be measured by changes in market prices, household purchasing power and access to essential goods, rather than assurances that the government is aware of the hardship.

For struggling families, knowing the price of bread and eggs is important, but being able to afford them remains the more pressing concern.