Former Communications Minister Adebayo Shittu has expressed concern over the rising poverty levels in the country, stating that many Nigerians have resorted to begging.
Speaking on the AIT program Focus Nigeria, Shittu provided examples of how Nigeria’s economic struggles have led to citizens begging for assistance.
He shared a personal experience of receiving a call from a man in Bauchi who asked him for N1,000 for food, as well as another instance where a woman called him 30 times requesting N3,000.
Read Also: How Tinubu Increased 2025 Budget To ₦54.2tn
He said, “Yesterday, before I left Ibadan, somebody phoned me from Bauchi and begged me for N1,000.
He said he had not eaten for two days. Again, about a week ago, somebody also called me, a woman who wanted N3,000. At the time she wanted that money, unbelievably, I myself didn’t have that money, and the woman called me 30 times in one day.”
He emphasized that poverty has been exploited in the country to the point where, during elections, people are more focused on what politicians can provide for them rather than evaluating the politicians’ abilities or plans.
Shittu said, “It’s not my business to douse the poverty of such people calling. So when you go to such people to ask for their votes or support, they don’t care what you’re capable of doing. What they are interested in is what they can get out of you today.”
Contrary to the common belief among Nigerians about political appointees, the former minister, who served in the Muhammadu Buhari administration from 2015 to 2019, stated that he currently has no money because he did not steal while in office.
He noted that life after a political appointment can be difficult for politicians who remained honest.
Shittu revealed that he depends on the monthly allowance provided by his 10 graduate children to cover his expenses.