Olisa Agbakoba, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), says the administration of President Bola Tinubu is not communicating hope to Nigerians amid mounting economic hardship.

In an interview on Wednesday, Agbakoba said the presidency is failing to lead by example by cutting down on the high cost of governance and showing empathy for citizens’ struggles.

“The government ought to be communicating hope. They ought to be saying ‘we are going through this difficult period but there is light at the end of the tunnel.’ This government is not communicating that at all, which I think is a big error,” Agbakoba said.

He noted that while Nigerians can endure tough times, the failure to provide reassuring messaging is worsening conditions across the country. Agbakoba warned of a “slow revolt” brewing among citizens frustrated by the rising cost of living.

The senior lawyer called on the Tinubu administration to take action to address people’s growing discontent and communicate a hopeful vision to rally citizens through this economically challenging period.

“The problem we have is that the government is not communicating hope,” Agbakoba reiterated. He urged the presidency to clearly spell out plans for economic recovery and say “in two or three months, we are likely to be in a better state.”