‘Tinubu knows what eggs, bread cost’ — Presidential Aide Essiet

President Bola Tinubu is aware of the rising price of food items, including eggs and bread, despite the rising cost of living, says his Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement in the North-Central region, Dr Abiodun Essiet.

Essiet said the President receives regular updates on Nigerians’ economic challenges through community engagement activities and briefings from Federal Executive Council members.

Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, she dismissed claims that journalists alone understand the hardship Nigerians face.

“I don’t think only media practitioners understand what Nigerians are going through. We also communicate the realities facing our people directly to the President,” she said.

She insisted that Tinubu knows the prices of everyday commodities because his aides regularly brief him on market conditions.

“You may think the President does not know how much eggs or bread cost in the market, but he does. We regularly update him, and members of the Federal Executive Council do the same,” she added.

Essiet also identified infrastructure development as a key part of the administration’s efforts to improve living conditions.

She pointed to the planned reconstruction of the Mokwa-Bida road in Niger State. Residents have repeatedly urged the Federal Government to repair the deteriorating road.

According to Essiet, the government last awarded the road reconstruction contract 46 years ago. She said the road’s poor condition has contributed to fatal accidents involving motorists and heavy-duty vehicles.

“The last time the government awarded the road reconstruction contract was 46 years ago. That should tell you how much the people have been asking for its rehabilitation,” she said.

Essiet added that Tinubu directed officials to use reinforced concrete instead of conventional asphalt to make the road more durable.

“The President directed officials to award the contract with a requirement for reinforced concrete, rather than ordinary asphalt,” she stated.

Her comments come amid persistent concerns about the cost of living, as rising food prices continue to strain household budgets across the country.

However, Vice President Kashim Shettima expressed optimism on October 19 that food prices would decline in the coming weeks. He said the Federal Government was working to address challenges affecting agricultural production.

Shettima spoke at Together Till 2027: An Evening with Original City Boy, organised by the City Boy Movement and the Relax-Tinubu-Is-Fixing-Nigeria movement, both of which support Tinubu’s re-election bid.