Nigeria has improved, Wike’s aide tells Gen Z

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and social media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has challenged the notion that Nigeria's economic situation has worsened over time, especially among members of Generation Z. Speaking during an interview with African Independent Television, Olayinka argued that the younger generation has only recently begun to appreciate the country's economic reality as they have had to start providing for themselves.

Olayinka pointed out that previous generations, especially his own, relied on their parents to meet their needs as children. However, Gen Z members have had to fend for themselves, leading to a newfound appreciation for Nigeria's economic landscape. He made a comparison between the current technological environment and the challenges journalists faced in the past, emphasizing that advancements in technology have made many activities easier and created new employment opportunities for Nigerians.

Recalling his own experiences in journalism, Olayinka shared that he once had to travel by road from Bauchi to Jos to deliver reports, and video recordings had to be transported on VHS cassettes to television stations. He noted that technology has since transformed the process, enabling people to create content and earn money through social media platforms without having to leave their homes. This shift, according to Olayinka, has opened up new job opportunities for many Nigerians.

The minister's aide urged Nigerians to move away from a persistent narrative of hunger and poverty, arguing that people are still building houses despite the economic challenges. Olayinka highlighted that homelessness exists in developed countries as well, emphasizing that the government's responsibility is to create an enabling environment for citizens to thrive.

He concluded by stating that the government can only provide the enabling environment, and the rest is up to the citizens to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.