The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua has sparked debate after saying a modest Nigerian family can still feed for several days with ₦10,000 despite soaring food prices and worsening economic hardship across the country.
Fasua made the remark during a members-only Coffee Hangout organised by Kay Hikers Club in Abuja.
A video shared on the club’s Instagram page captured a tense exchange between the presidential aide and a female participant who complained about the rising cost of living, insecurity and declining purchasing power affecting many Nigerians.
The woman questioned the affordability of basic food items, noting that commodities once considered cheap had become difficult for ordinary citizens to buy.
“Are you aware that you can no longer buy tomato ₦500 from the market as you used to 10, 15 years ago? Are you also aware that the basic thing, as basic as food is now something you have to beg for?” she asked.
She also linked increasing street crime and insecurity to worsening economic conditions and low earnings among struggling households.
Responding, Fasua urged Nigerians not to exaggerate the country’s economic challenges and advised families to adopt more careful spending habits.
“A modest family will feed for several days with ₦10,000,” he said.
According to him, households can reduce costs by buying raw food items directly from local markets and cooking at home.
“You will know how to cut your coat according to your cloth. You can go to the market, I go to the market too. I have customers in Utako market, in Wuse market. I like shopping. I like going to the market. I test things. You can buy foodstuff which you cook at home,” he added.
Fasua also maintained that government could not satisfy every public expectation and said Nigerians must adapt to prevailing economic realities.
“I know things are expensive, more expensive than they were before. But if we want sensation, government will never win,” he said.
The presidential aide further dismissed direct comparisons between Nigeria and the United States, arguing that local purchasing power should be used when assessing living conditions.
“We are not in the US. Everybody has to deal with his own currency. That’s what is called purchasing power parity. $10 will go so far in this country but in the US you can do very little with it.”
