Vice President Senator Kassim Shettima has acknowledged the economic hardship Nigerians are facing, expressing sympathy for the poor. At an event in Abuja, the Vice President stated that while some policy decisions may be painful, they are unavoidable. Shettima emphasized that he and President Bola Tinubu understand the struggles of the Nigerian people, particularly the poor and young.

"The federal government empathizes with what the poor and young are going through," he said. However, he noted that tough decisions need to be made, even if they're unpopular.

This comes as Nigerians face rising costs of living, with fuel prices skyrocketing from less than N200 to over N1,000 per liter in just 17 months ¹. The prices of essential commodities like yams, rice, and beans have also quadrupled.

Experts say the mental health of Nigerians has never been worse, with around 60 million suffering from various mental illnesses ¹. The World Health Organization recommends music, laughter, and dance therapy to cope with mental ill-health.

Despite these challenges, the government maintains it's working towards a better future. President Bola Tinubu's administration aims to address inherited problems and secure the nation's future, though some question the source of the First Lady's wealth after donating N1 billion to Obafemi Awolowo University.