The hashtag #TinubuMustGo has surged to the top of social media trends across Nigeria, reflecting widespread frustration and despair over the country’s deteriorating economic and security situation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, are voicing a collective demand for change, highlighting the perceived failure of the current government to address inflation, insecurity, and governance challenges that have worsened since Tinubu took office.
This critical analysis explores the roots of the #TinubuMustGo movement, examining Nigeria’s economic indicators, security challenges, and political context. Drawing on insights from renowned Nigerian journalists, political analysts, and international economic data, this piece seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of why Nigerians are calling for Tinubu’s resignation and what the future might hold.
Economic Realities Fueling Public Discontent
Nigeria’s economy in early 2025 paints a sobering picture. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) January 2025 Economic Report, inflation surged to 24.48%, driven largely by rising energy costs and supply-side constraints. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rebasing has revealed persistent inflationary pressures that continue to erode the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians. This inflation spike comes despite government efforts to implement monetary tightening, with the CBN’s Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) rising to 27.5% in February 2025.
The economic hardship is compounded by a depreciating naira, which fell to ₦1,535.94 per US dollar in January 2025, despite a slight appreciation in the foreign exchange market. The naira’s weakness has pushed up the cost of imported goods, including essential food items, exacerbating Nigeria’s already severe cost-of-living crisis. The World Food Programme warns that 33.1 million Nigerians will face acute food insecurity in 2025, an increase driven by economic hardship, climate change, and persistent violence, especially in the northeast.
Olusegun Zaccheaus, partner and lead for strategy & West Africa at PwC, noted in a recent BusinessDay roundtable that “GDP may grow marginally by 3.3 percent in 2025 on the back of sustained policy reforms, albeit growth prospects may be limited by elevated economic pressures.” He further highlighted that inflation, which stood at 34.8% in December 2024, remains a significant challenge, driven by food, transport, and utilities costs.
Despite projections of modest GDP growth, the fiscal outlook remains fragile. The Federal Government’s fiscal deficit expanded in January 2025, with revenue collection down by over 31% from the previous period. This fiscal strain limits the government’s capacity to invest in social programs or infrastructure that could alleviate economic hardship.
Security Crisis: A Nation Under Siege
Economic woes are paralleled by a worsening security situation that has become a daily reality for millions of Nigerians. The World Bank highlights that Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, including banditry, kidnappings, and insurgency, particularly in the northwest and northeast regions. These conflicts have disrupted agricultural production, displaced communities, and strained government resources.
BudgIT, a Nigerian civic tech organization, underscores the direct impact of rising insecurity on the economy, noting that “insurgency and conflicts between farmers and herders have led to loss of lives and livelihoods, negatively affecting agricultural output and food security.” The resulting instability has deterred investment and slowed economic activity in affected regions.
The humanitarian consequences are stark. Between October and December 2024, 25.1 million Nigerians experienced acute food insecurity, with projections indicating a rise to 33.1 million in 2025. Violence and displacement have also overwhelmed social services and deepened poverty in vulnerable communities.
Political Disillusionment and the #TinubuMustGo Movement
Against this backdrop of economic hardship and insecurity, Nigerians’ patience with the Tinubu administration has worn thin. The hashtag #TinubuMustGo encapsulates a growing demand for accountability and change. Social media users criticize what they see as the government’s failure to deliver on campaign promises of economic revival and improved security.
Prominent Nigerian political analyst and columnist, Dr. Akin Oyebode, recently remarked, “The current administration’s policy reforms have been too little, too late. Nigerians are suffering from inflation and insecurity, and the government’s response has been inadequate and at times tone-deaf.”
Journalist and editor-in-chief of TheCable, Adeola Fayehun, observed on her podcast that “the #TinubuMustGo trend is not just about dissatisfaction; it is a cry for survival. When people cannot afford basic necessities and live in fear, they demand leadership that prioritizes their welfare.”
The movement also reflects frustration with perceived governance failures, including corruption and lack of transparency. Many Nigerians feel excluded from decision-making processes and skeptical about the government’s commitment to tackling systemic issues.
Government Response and Policy Challenges
The Tinubu administration has defended its economic policies, emphasizing ongoing reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy and attracting investment. The CBN projects a positive growth trajectory for 2025, citing improved crude oil production and exports as key drivers. However, analysts caution that these gains are fragile and contingent on addressing security risks and inflationary pressures.
Fiscal sustainability remains a concern. The 2025 budget projects increased government expenditure to ₦47.9 trillion, with expectations that this will fuel inflation further. The government’s ability to balance spending with revenue generation is critical to avoid exacerbating the fiscal deficit.
Monetary policy tightening by the CBN aims to rein in inflation, but high interest rates risk stifling credit growth and economic expansion. The naira’s volatility also undermines investor confidence and complicates business planning.
The Human Cost: Voices from the Ground
Beyond statistics, the economic and security crises have profound human consequences. A Lagos-based entrepreneur, Chinedu Okeke, shared his experience: “My business has shrunk by half because customers can no longer afford my products. The cost of fuel and food keeps rising, and insecurity in the north scares away investors.”
In the northeast, displaced farmer Aisha Mohammed lamented, “We lost our farms to bandits. Food prices have doubled, and many families here are starving. We need peace and government support urgently.”
These testimonies echo a nationwide sentiment of despair and urgency for change.
Looking Ahead: What Does Nigeria Need?
Experts agree that Nigeria’s path to recovery requires a multifaceted approach:
- Security Reform: Strengthening security forces, improving intelligence, and addressing root causes of conflict are essential to restore stability and protect livelihoods.
- Economic Diversification: Reducing dependence on oil revenues by boosting agriculture, manufacturing, and technology sectors can create jobs and stabilize income.
- Social Safety Nets: Expanding programs to support vulnerable populations can mitigate the impact of inflation and insecurity.
- Good Governance: Enhancing transparency, fighting corruption, and engaging citizens in policymaking will rebuild trust in government.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Nigerian Finance Minister and current WTO Director-General, recently stated, “Nigeria has immense potential, but unlocking it requires bold reforms and inclusive leadership that puts the people first.”
The #TinubuMustGo movement is a powerful expression of Nigerians’ frustration with the economic hardship and insecurity that have worsened under President Tinubu’s watch. While the government points to reforms and positive projections, the lived realities of millions tell a different story-one of rising inflation, food insecurity, and persistent violence.
As Nigeria stands at a crossroads, the demand for effective leadership and urgent action grows louder. Whether the current administration can respond to this call remains to be seen. What is clear is that Nigerians are no longer willing to tolerate the status quo.
References
- Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic Report, January 2025
- Proshare, “Nigeria’s Economy in 2025: Fragile Times, Fickle Egos and a Cautionary Tale,” December 2024
- World Bank, Nigeria Overview
- BudgIT, “Nigeria’s Rising Insecurity: Implications for the Nigerian Economy”
- BusinessDay, “Six Key Issues to Shape Nigeria’s Economy in 2025,” January 2025
- World Food Programme, “Economic Hardship, Climate Crisis and Violence in Northeast Nigeria,” November 2024
- Agusto & Co., “2025 Macroeconomic Outlook: Stability or Stagnation,” April 2025
This critique aims to provide a balanced, data-driven perspective on the #TinubuMustGo phenomenon, reflecting the voices and concerns of Nigerians amid one of the most challenging periods in the country’s recent history.
