Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has voiced deep concern over the increasing hardship facing Nigerians, saying the economic situation has pushed many once-middle-class citizens into poverty and desperation.
Speaking during an interview with Channels Television, Adichie said her greatest worry is the suffering of ordinary Nigerians, stressing that a government’s performance should be judged by how well the people are living, not abstract economic metrics.
“Life has become so hard in Nigeria, and I can see it. People who were securely middle class are now begging. That worries me greatly.”
Adichie’s Key Concerns:
Erosion of the Middle Class:
The award-winning writer noted that many Nigerians who previously managed to get by are now unable to feed or provide for themselves and their families.
Rising Cost of Living:
She pointed to the skyrocketing price of food and basic necessities as a core sign of failure, saying that the minimum wage earners are struggling the most.
Economic Disconnect:
Adichie dismissed talk of stock market performance or GDP growth as irrelevant when the masses are suffering.
“I don’t care about the stock market. What matters is how the ordinary Nigerian is surviving.”
Societal Consequences:
She warned that the desperation caused by poverty could drive people to crime, even those who previously had no inclination towards it.
“It’s not to excuse crime, but when life gets very hard, people begin to do things they never thought they would. That’s dangerous for society.”
Adichie’s remarks come amid widespread criticism of the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, especially the removal of fuel subsidies, naira floatation, and rising inflation. Civil society groups, religious leaders, and now global voices like Adichie’s have increasingly called attention to the dire economic situation and its human toll.
