The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, has urged Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reforms, emphasizing that the president has been in office for only seven months, and the benefits of long-term plans take time to manifest.
Malagi made these remarks during an appearance on Channels TV Sunrise Daily on Thursday, February 1, 2024. He emphasized President Tinubu’s clear objective to guide Nigeria toward “the desired prosperity” and urged citizens to understand that significant structural changes require more time.
While acknowledging the challenges and occasional disruptions, Malagi affirmed the president’s commitment, stating, “He works day and night to achieve that. Every day, all the ministers and everyone else are working in that direction, but the results are not seen yet. We ask Nigerians to be a little more patient.”
Malagi elaborated on President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria, emphasizing merit, safety, security, and egalitarianism. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by citizens, especially concerning the cost of food items, but assured that the government is actively addressing these issues.
However, some Nigerian civil servants expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed payment of January salaries despite improved government revenue. The civil servants, in separate interviews, criticized the “inexplicable” delay and emphasized the importance of prompt salary payments in the face of economic challenges.
The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) shared N1.13 trillion among the three tiers of government for December 2023, representing an increase compared to November 2023. The delayed January salaries were expected to be disbursed by Thursday evening, as assured by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).
