Cost of Living: BAT Ambassadors Coordinator Tells Tinubu Govt Nigerians Need Relief

The State Coordinator of BAT Ambassadors in Kano State, Prof. Zahraddeen Sufyanu, has said that supporting the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not mean remaining silent when Nigerians are suffering, insisting that the people need urgent relief.

In an open message titled “A Message To The Government: The People Need Relief!” on Sunday, Sufyanu said true support means speaking the truth, offering solutions and demanding results.

The Professor said he acknowledges the efforts of the Tinubu administration in areas such as tertiary education, infrastructure, tax reforms and initiatives aimed at making food more affordable, adding that he has continued to support the government and explain its policies to the public.

However, he asked: “Are ordinary Nigerians beginning to feel the positive impact of the policies we defend?”

Sufyanu listed five major challenges facing Nigerians today, including the high cost of living, insecurity, poor salaries and education funding, electricity and energy crisis, and jobs, business and housing.

On cost of living, he said Nigerians need relief from rising food prices, transportation costs, fuel prices and other basic expenses.

On security, he said kidnapping and other violent crimes continue to threaten lives and livelihoods, stressing that Nigerians deserve to travel, work, farm and sleep without fear.

“Many workers struggle to make their salaries last until the end of the month. In some families, one month’s salary is not enough to cover their children’s school fees and other essential needs,” he said on salaries and education.

On electricity and energy, Sufyanu noted that many households and businesses are turning to solar power because reliable and affordable public electricity remains a challenge, while cooking gas and other energy costs place pressure on family budgets.

He added that young people need decent employment opportunities, businesses need an affordable operating environment, and families need a realistic opportunity to own homes rather than spend most of their income on rent.

“The salary problem is real. For many workers, an entire month’s salary disappears into food, transportation, fuel, school fees, and other basic expenses. How can we build a strong nation when the people who build it can barely afford to maintain their own households?” he said.

Sufyanu revealed he is personally considering switching to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to reduce transportation costs, saying this reflects the difficult choices many Nigerians are making to cope with rising expenses.

He stressed that government must listen, saying he has continued to support the government, communicate its policies, and encourage public understanding of its programmes, but political support must translate into meaningful improvements in people’s lives.

“A government needs honest voices, not just praise singers. Those who support its policies must also communicate the concerns of ordinary citizens. We cannot continue asking Nigerians to be patient without showing them a clear path towards economic relief and improved security,” he said.

He expressed hope that meaningful improvements will come soon, particularly in addressing insecurity, reducing the cost of living, and improving the purchasing power of workers.

“If these challenges persist without effective solutions, the time will come for us to speak more openly about the factors contributing to Northern Nigeria’s challenges, particularly in Kano State, and to clearly state our position on the future of leadership in our country,” Sufyanu warned.

He concluded: “My position is simple: Support is not blindness. Loyalty is not silence. And politics must never become more important than the welfare of the people. Is this the standard of living and security we hoped for when we supported a renewed hope?”