By Odeh Favour Adiya
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has come under intense scrutiny following his nationwide broadcast marking the third anniversary of his administration, after the speech failed to mention the recent abduction of primary and secondary school pupils by terrorists.
While the President dedicated a significant portion of the address to defending his economic reforms and declaring that Nigeria’s economy had stabilised, civil society groups and public observers expressed concern over his silence on the schoolchildren who remain in captivity.
The criticism comes amid recent mass abductions in Oyo and Borno states, where dozens of pupils, including toddlers from nursery schools, were reportedly kidnapped from their classrooms by armed bandits earlier this month.
Analysts noted that although the Presidency had issued a separate Children’s Day statement acknowledging the abducted children, the President’s major national address focused largely on economic indicators without directly addressing the crisis or offering reassurance to affected families.
In the broadcast, Tinubu highlighted what he described as the progress made under his administration, stating:
“Today, on the occasion of the third anniversary of our administration, I speak to you not only as your President but also as a fellow citizen who understands the sacrifices many families have made in recent years and shares your hopes for a better Nigeria.”
Defending the economic impact of his policies, the President said:
“At the height of the subsidy regime, Nigeria was spending as much as ₦18.4 billion daily to sustain petrol subsidies—over ₦4 trillion in 2022 alone.”
He further stated that foreign exchange arbitrage had cost the country more than ₦8 trillion within three years.
Tinubu argued that the reforms were necessary to prevent economic collapse, declaring:
“The easy choices would have been politically convenient. But leadership demands courage, especially when the right decisions are difficult. Together, we chose reform over ruin and decisiveness over hesitation.”
The President also pointed to gains in the capital market, noting that market capitalisation had risen from ₦30 trillion to ₦160 trillion, while more than 2,700 kilometres of highways were currently under construction nationwide.
On security, Tinubu maintained that his administration was taking decisive steps to secure the country. However, stakeholders argued that such claims contrast sharply with the realities faced by families whose children are still being held captive.
Public affairs analysts contend that the failure to prominently address the ongoing school abductions in the anniversary broadcast weakens the administration’s claims of prioritising the safety and welfare of Nigerians, particularly vulnerable children.
