Reno Omokri has come out to react to President of African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s claims that, “Nigerians are worse off today than they were in 1960”.
Disagreeing with the AfDB President, Omokri said, “In 1960, 18% of every Nigerian baby given birth to died. Our infant mortality rate was 186 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2025, under Tinubu, that number has reduced dramatically to 53.67 deaths per 1,000 live births.”
He urged Nigerians to “take Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s criticisms of the government of Nigeria and our economic situation with a pinch of salt”, saying, “his views are also likely to be influenced by his long-term political ambition”.
In his reaction to Dr. Adesina’s criticisms, Reno Omokri said: “Please fact-check me on the following:
“In 1960, the Average Life Expectancy in Nigeria was 36 years. Today, under Tinubu’s leadership, it is almost double that at 61.79 years, according to Statista.
“In 1960, 18% of every Nigerian baby given birth to died. Our infant mortality rate was 186 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2025, under Tinubu, that number has reduced dramatically to 53.67 deaths per 1,000 live births.
“In 1960, Nigeria’s adult literacy rate was estimated at 20% or lower. Today, under Tinubu, and especially with the Student Loan Scheme, it is 59.57%.
“I could go on and on. However, the fact is that when you take the indices on the Human Development Index (HDI), as published annually by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), it is clear that Nigerians are much better today than we were in 1960.
“In summary, Nigerians survive childbirth at a higher rate, live longer, and are better educated than at Independence. Therefore, I disagree with the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who says that Nigerians are worse off today than they were in 1960. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina is a brilliant agriculturalist, and I respect him. However, I know for a fact that he has political ambitions because he has more than hinted at it. May I also gently remind Nigerians that Dr Akinwumi Adesina’s tenure as President of the African Development Bank Group expires on August 31, 2025. Read into that whatever you choose to.
“In light of this, Nigerians should take Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s criticisms of the government of Nigeria and our economic situation with a pinch of salt. He may mean well, but as someone who aims for higher political office, his views are also likely to be influenced by his long-term ambition. Nigeria is going through necessary reforms that will naturally attract short-term pains before they manifest long-term gains. These reforms are necessary, especially because the previous government was too cowardly to implement them. Subsidy had to go because it was not only unsustainable, but we were borrowing to fund it, and the more bonds Nigeria took, the more future bondage Nigerians would be in.
“The Naira had to be floated because it made no economic sense to defend the Naira with $1.5 billion every month when our nation was sinking in debt. And we already see light from Tinubunomics at the end of the tunnel. Our total national debt has been reduced by $14 billion from the $108.2 billion President Tinubu inherited from the Buhari administration to $94.2 billion. Also, net foreign reserves have increased to $40.1 billion. Nigerians would do well to remember that contrary to what the Central Bank of Nigeria was telling them under Buhari, JP Morgan exposed that Buhari actually left Nigeria with a net $3.7 billion, rather than the $14 billion they claimed in public.
“Additionally, Fitch and S&P Global Ratings upgraded Nigeria’s economy to a Stable B after Nigeria, in 2024, achieved a record trade surplus of $14.31 billion due to a 24% increase in non-oil exports, which are expected to fetch $5.46 billion this year alone, and a reduction in fuel importation by 70%. Daily imports dropped from 44.6 million litres to 14.7 million litres, a decrease of 29.9 million litres. Nigeria, under President Tinubu, is getting better. It will not happen overnight. It will occur over time. Therefore, I urge Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu and continue to extend him the right hand of fellowship, now, and until 2031, God sparing his life.”
Please fact-check me on the following:
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) May 4, 2025
In 1960, the Average Life Expectancy in Nigeria was 36 years. Today, under Tinubu's leadership, it is almost double that at 61.79 years, according to Statista.
In 1960, 18% of every Nigerian baby given birth to died. Our infant mortality… pic.twitter.com/Y0HqQ6Qx79
