N2,500 Can Buy a Meal in Lekki’ — Tinubu’s Aide Defends Naira Value Amid Criticism
President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Economic Affairs, Dr. Tope Fasua, has defended the local value of the naira despite widespread criticism over its depreciation against the US dollar.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Fasua clarified his earlier comments, stating that while poverty is real in Nigeria, ₦1,500 (approximately $1) can still buy a meal in many parts of the country.
“Nobody is saying there’s no poverty in Nigeria. But people sent videos from Lagos to Maiduguri showing they ate for ₦1,500 yesterday,” he said.
Fasua also shared a personal experience from a visit to Black Bell, a restaurant in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, where he observed that ₦2,500 could afford a decent meal, even in one of the city’s upscale areas.
“I didn’t know where to go; someone took me there. And yes, for ₦2,500, someone could eat,” he explained.
Acknowledging that many Nigerians struggle to afford such meals, Fasua insisted his comments were not meant to mock the poor but to reflect the real economic choices people face.
“₦1,500 is a lot of money to a lot of Nigerians. If you give a security guy ₦1,000 now, he’ll appreciate it and probably have a meal on that.”
He further emphasized the growing economic inequality in the country, urging both the private and public sectors to do more to bridge the gap.
Fasua also touched on the long-term economic impact of COVID-19, warning that recovery could take 10 to 20 years, and added a political remark:
“We’re hoping that President Trump’s experimental governance this time around will not set us back even further.”
His comments have stirred mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning whether referencing meals in Lekki accurately reflects the economic realities of the average citizen.
