‘Things Aren’t As Bad As People Say’ — Jide Kosoko Speaks On Tinubu’s Government

Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has mounted a defense of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, asserting that the economic realities in the country are not as dire as critics portray.

Speaking in an interview on the TalkToB podcast hosted by Biola Adebayo and released on Saturday, the veteran movie star questioned the narrative surrounding widespread hardship, urging citizens to evaluate their current standing relative to previous years.

Reacting to outcry over food inflation and the rising cost of living, Kosoko asked, When you see people saying, ‘I am hungry, I am hungry,’ go and check the majority of those people saying that before Tinubu came. What were they doing? What were they eating? Every year, things change.

He maintained that the economic situation has been exaggerated in public discussions, stating, Things are not as bad as some people made us understand.

Expanding on his viewpoint, Kosoko noted that income opportunities remain available across various sectors, remarking, People make money here and there. Some people might still be unlucky, but that is not to say their own time will not come.

While standing by the government, the actor acknowledged that many citizens are experiencing hardship, clarifying, I’m not saying things are rosy.

He appealed for patience from the public, urging, Let’s try and allow Mr President and his team to finish what they started.

Defending the administration’s key economic policy shifts—specifically the removal of the petrol subsidy—Kosoko compared fuel subsidies to unsustainable debt burdens.

Explaining his perspective on the policy, he said, That’s the subsidy. The money being used to take care of you and me that we consider that subsidy is something that is putting us in problems for tomorrow.

He suggested that government interventions, such as the newly introduced student loan initiative, help absorb costs that parents previously struggled to cover.

Offering advice on personal consumption habits amidst economic adjustments, Kosoko suggested, If you eat once a day and good food, you are good to go.

The veteran actor also pointed to market exploitation by local vendors as a contributor to price hikes, asking, We are enemies of ourselves because when they continue to say, ‘Ah, the price is up,’ then who is hiking it? Who is putting it up? Is it not ourselves?

On civic engagement, Kosoko cautioned against violent demonstrations, stating, Destructive protest is not welcome, though he acknowledged that constructive criticism remains essential for government accountability.

Dismissing thoughts of emigrating, he remarked, Even if I am able to japa, don’t I have families, relatives still at home? while urging citizens to maintain patriotism and confidence in the nation.