Special Adviser to President [Bola Tinubu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Tinubu) on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, acknowledged that the government's economic reforms have increased the number of Nigerians living in poverty, while also asserting that the nation has recorded notable progress since those reforms began.
**What did the adviser admit?**
Bwala told Channels Television that the rise in poverty is a direct consequence of the reform agenda, adding, “Please let it be clear even to the opposition, the reason why you have this number of poor people… is because we undertook a reform.” He emphasized that discomfort is inevitable when a country embarks on such structural changes.
**What progress does he cite?**
He claimed that, despite the increase in poverty, the period from the start of the reforms to the present has seen “marked progress,” a narrative the administration has promoted for the past three years.
**How does the government link poverty to reforms?**
Bwala argued that the surge in poverty cannot be examined in isolation from the broader economic restructuring, stating that the government cannot discount the fact that many remain poor while overall progress is being made.
**What do international institutions say?**
The [World Bank](https://www.worldbank.org) has recognised improvements in Nigeria’s macro‑economic position after the reforms, noting stronger external balances, better fiscal conditions and continued growth, but warned that these gains have not yet translated into higher living standards for millions. It projected that Nigeria’s poverty rate rose sharply by 2025, although most of that increase occurred before the Tinubu administration took office.
Similarly, the [International Monetary Fund](https://www.imf.org) has highlighted gains in macro‑economic stability while cautioning that poverty and food insecurity remain serious challenges.
**What is the impact on households?**
For many families, the removal of the petrol subsidy and the naira’s depreciation have led to higher costs for transport, food, energy and other essentials. Analysts differentiate between improved macro indicators and the immediate welfare of households.
**What are the viewpoints of local experts?**
Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, argued that the reforms have restored macro‑economic stability and corrected long‑standing distortions, but he said the ultimate test is whether these gains translate into higher incomes, jobs and lower poverty.
**How does the Federal Government justify the reforms?**
The administration maintains that the measures were unavoidable given the fiscal and structural weaknesses inherited in 2023. President Tinubu has repeatedly warned that continuing the petrol subsidy would have left fewer resources for infrastructure, social services and development. The government also points to higher Federation Account revenues following the subsidy removal.
Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, confirmed that both federal and sub‑national governments received increased revenues from subsidy savings between June 2023 and December 2025, but he admitted that reducing poverty remains a major unfinished task.
**What mitigation measures are being promoted?**
The government highlights social intervention programmes, student loans, consumer credit schemes, agricultural support and a CNG transportation initiative as efforts to cushion households from the reform’s adjustment costs.