- Daniel Bwala said Nigeria’s revenue base was not enough to meet the country’s population and infrastructure demands
- He explained that economic growth under the current administration would remain slow, steady and gradual
- His comments came amid ongoing debate over the Tinubu administration’s economic performance and reforms
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Bola Tinubu, Daniel Bwala, has said that Nigeria’s current revenue base remains inadequate when measured against the country’s large population and expanding infrastructure needs.
Bwala made the remarks on Tuesday during a live appearance on an interview programme on Arise Television’s political programme, Prime Time, where he addressed public concerns over the state of the economy and the gap between official economic projections and citizens’ lived realities.
His comments come amid ongoing public debate over the performance of the economy following President Tinubu’s recent assertion that Nigeria’s economy is showing signs of improvement and “booming”, a claim that has generated mixed reactions across the country.
Responding to questions on why many Nigerians are yet to feel tangible improvements in their daily lives, Bwala argued that while government revenue has increased in recent times, it is still not sufficient to meet the demands of a population estimated at over 230 million people.
“The population is over 230 million, but the resources we have, however, the increased revenue is not enough to match with the population and deficit in terms of infrastructure,” he said.
He further noted that Nigeria’s economic trajectory would not produce immediate or dramatic improvements, but rather a gradual adjustment process shaped by structural constraints.
“So, growth will have to be slow. It will be slow, steady and consistent. That is what we take pride in,” Bwala added.
The presidential aide’s remarks highlight the administration’s continued defence of its economic policies, particularly in relation to revenue reforms, fiscal adjustments and efforts to stabilise key macroeconomic indicators.
However, critics have argued that such explanations do not sufficiently address pressing challenges facing households, including rising inflation, unemployment, currency volatility and increasing cost of living pressures.
Bwala’s comments also reflect the broader government narrative that Nigeria’s economic recovery process is long-term and requires patience, structural reforms and sustained policy implementation.