I understand the hunger, but there’s no free beer parlour anymore – Tinubu tells Nigerians

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to remain patient despite the rising cost of living, stressing that the country must address its economic challenges and cannot rely on “a free bowl” without hard work and sacrifice.

Speaking during a visit from former Nigerian lawmakers at the State House in Abuja on Friday, Tinubu acknowledged the widespread hunger but emphasized that there is no “free beer parlour” — a metaphor underscoring that true development requires time and effort.

He called for a focus on nation-building and restructuring the country’s financial systems, stating, “We must work hard. We’ve sustained 25 years of democracy this year. We don’t want to keep people hungry and angry, but we ask for patience.”

The President also lamented missed opportunities in the past to develop critical infrastructure, education, and other social services. According to Tinubu, Nigeria’s leaders failed to invest in essential sectors during periods of economic growth, which has led to the current infrastructure deficit and educational decay.

He stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the nation’s economic challenges, including the high cost of living and the crisis of out-of-school children, saying, “We neglected the communities and the geese that lay the golden eggs. We failed to provide a decent standard of living and quality education.”

Tinubu pointed to the deteriorating state of schools and questioned whether enough was done to improve the learning environment, adding, “It’s a matter of conscience.”

As food inflation continues to soar, with the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics reporting it at 37.52%, many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic food items. Despite the government’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security, prices remain on the rise. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has also projected that 26.5 million Nigerians will be at risk of hunger in 2024.