Nigeria’s former Communication Minister, Adebayo Shittu, has painted a dire picture of the country’s poverty situation, revealing that many Nigerians have been reduced to beggars.
Shittu, who served under the Buhari administration, shared his concerns on AIT’s Focus Nigeria program, citing personal experiences that highlight the desperation of citizens.
Shittu recounted how a man from Bauchi called him to beg for N1,000 to feed, having gone two days without food.
Another woman, he said, called him 30 times in one day, pleading for N3,000.
These stories illustrate the widespread poverty that has taken hold of Nigeria, with citizens becoming increasingly reliant on handouts.
Shittu believes that poverty has been “weaponized” in Nigeria, with politicians exploiting citizens’ desperation for votes.
Rather than focusing on a candidate’s qualifications or policies, voters are often more interested in what they can gain immediately. This has created a system where politicians prioritize short-term gains over long-term solutions.
Shittu, who claims to have lived an honest life while in office, admitted that he currently struggles financially.
He relies on his 10 graduate children for support, highlighting the challenges faced by government officials who didn’t accumulate wealth through corrupt means.
