A Photo File of Femi Falana

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, accusing the administration of adopting harsh neoliberal policies that have decimated the country’s middle class and worsened living conditions.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Falana argued that while the President has acknowledged the economic hardship gripping Nigerians, his policies continue to deepen the crisis.

“I have seen the President ask APC governors to ‘wet the ground’ more, but as far as the masses of our people are concerned, things are getting tougher by the day because of the harsh economic crisis in the country,” Falana said. “Because of the religious implementation of neoliberal policies by the government, poverty is on the ascendancy. That will require a review of these policies.”

Falana criticised the ongoing privatisation of national assets, warning that it contradicts efforts to reduce income inequality. “You cannot be addressing income inequality in a country while handing over the nation’s resources to a few people in the name of privatisation,” he said.

He expressed concern that most Nigerians are now unable to afford basic necessities. “Most Nigerians cannot afford three square meals a day. The middle class has been wiped out by the neoliberal policies of the government,” he added.

Since taking office in May 2023, President Tinubu has introduced sweeping economic measures, including currency liberalisation and the removal of fuel subsidies. While aimed at stabilising the economy, the policies have driven inflation to record highs and plunged many households into deeper poverty.

Falana stressed that urgent reforms and legal backing for social welfare programmes are critical to alleviating the widespread suffering. “To eradicate poverty, we must begin by implementing welfare laws,” he said, referencing the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), codified under the Social Investment Programme Agency Act in 2023.

The NSIP includes initiatives like N-Power for youth empowerment, school feeding programmes, GEEP loans for small businesses, and conditional cash transfers to vulnerable households.

“President Tinubu should be able to persuade the governors to codify social investment programmes and enact them into law,” Falana urged.