The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government over its celebration of Nigeria’s reported Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, saying the figures do not reflect the harsh realities facing millions of Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party accused the government of relying on economic statistics to paint a positive picture while citizens continue to struggle with worsening living conditions.
According to the ADC, the reported economic growth has failed to translate into real improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians, many of whom are battling rising food prices, unemployment, inflation, and the collapse of small businesses.
“People do not eat GDP,” the party stated, stressing that economic growth only becomes meaningful when it leads to better living standards, job creation, and reduced hardship.
The statement added, “Economic growth that does not reduce suffering, create jobs, improve incomes, or restore dignity to citizens is empty growth. Growth that only exists in official reports while citizens descend deeper into hardship is not meaningful progress.”
The party further accused the government of ignoring the realities in markets, farms, factories, and homes across the country.
“Food prices are unbearable. Transportation costs have become punitive. Small businesses are shutting down daily under the crushing weight of inflation, energy costs, and weak consumer demand. Salaries have lost value, and families who once lived comfortably are now struggling to survive,” the ADC said.
Questioning the basis for the government’s celebration, the party asked what exactly Nigerians were expected to rejoice over amid the current economic situation.
“What exactly should Nigerians celebrate? The fact that food inflation continues to devastate households? That millions of young Nigerians remain unemployed or underemployed? That businesses are collapsing faster than new ones are emerging?” the statement read.
The criticism followed a report by Quartus Economics, which indicated that Nigeria’s dollar GDP grew by 22 per cent to approximately $307 billion in 2025, driven by increased economic output and appreciation of the naira.
The report stated that Nigeria’s GDP rose from about $252 billion in 2024 to $307.5 billion in 2025, while nominal GDP increased from N372.8 trillion to N441.5 trillion within the same period.
It also noted that Nigeria’s economic performance surpassed the Sub-Saharan African average and outperformed several major African economies, including South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Angola, with only Ghana recording stronger growth.
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However, the ADC maintained that macroeconomic indicators alone cannot measure the wellbeing of citizens.
“The purpose of governance is not to manage public relations for economic statistics. The purpose of governance is to improve the living conditions of the people,” the party said.
The opposition party insisted that until economic growth leads to affordable food, stable electricity, decent jobs, lower business costs, and stronger purchasing power, the government cannot claim real economic success.
The statement comes amid ongoing debates over the impact of the Federal Government’s economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange policy changes, which officials say are necessary for long-term economic recovery but have also contributed to a sharp rise in the cost of living.
