Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, says Nigeria has improved compared to what it was 10 years ago, citing changes in security, governance and the economy.
Omokri made the remarks in a video posted on his X platform on Wednesday, where he responded to claims that the country is worse off today than it was a decade ago.
In the video, he said he disagrees with those who argue that Nigeria has declined, insisting that a look at the past shows clear differences.
“Well, I believe I in the city boy movement and I’m gonna tell you why. Recently, some people who should know better said that Nigeria is now worse of than it was 10 years ago.
He recalled unrest in the Niger Delta at the time, saying attacks on oil facilities affected production levels.
“Now, let me take your minds back to what happened 10 years ago, in the Niger Delta, we had Niger Delta avengers, they had bomb all the oil and gas sector. Nigeria had gone from 1.9 million barrels per day to less than a million barrels per day.
Omokri also spoke about insecurity in the South-East and along the Abuja–Kaduna road, describing how movement was restricted due to violence and kidnappings.
“In the south-East , you had successionists who had put that region almost to a standstill, 128 Police stations were shut down. We moved it down to the North west and from Abuja to Kaduna, you could not drive, it was a death trap ,people were being abducted or kidnapped.
He mentioned violence in Southern Kaduna and the control of some local government areas in the North-East by Boko Haram, including attacks on security institutions.
“In Southern Kaduna, there was a genocide, people seem to have forgotten that . In the North East, in the Maiduguri, we had about seven local governments where Boko Haram were in control . Now, because we have a very short memory in this country, we tend to forget about this things. All of these things are past away, in the Nigeria Defence academy, Boko Haram went there killed soldiers, Boko HARAM attacked the presidential guard of brigades in Buhari.
He said incidents such as the attack on Kuje prison and difficulties faced by states in paying salaries were common at the time.
“All of these things don’t happen , 600 motorists went with their motor bikes to Kuje prison, freed 849 of their colleagues, all of these things don’t happen again. 10 years ago, states could not pay salaries, what’s happening right now, each state in Nigeria is getting at least 200% what they were getting 10 years ago.
On the economy, Omokri rejected claims that recent progress is based on anything other than measurable outcomes, pointing to GDP growth and projections by international institutions.
“Somebody said, the president is using JAZZ, No! the president is using performance. we’ve had 12 cycles of GDP growth in the country. The IMF, The world bank projected that our GDP is going to go by 4.4% this year. And the people are saying that the president is using Jazz, No! it is performance.
He also referred to fuel scarcity and university strikes, suggesting that such disruptions are no longer as common.
“You watching this have you ever slept in the petrol station looking for fuel, have you even experienced fuel scarcity, if you’re a student, ASUU strike is like a thing of the past, ancient history. Why? because we have a leader right now who knows how to handle this county cos he has gone through the stages. That’s why I believe in City Boy Movement.
Omokri challenged those who maintain that Nigeria was better 10 years ago, citing his personal experience travelling from Abuja to Kaduna without security.
“I ask you this people that are saying that Nigeria was better 10 years ago, let them right now cos if you will remember , last year I drove with journalists, without any security from Abuja to Kaduna . People can do that right now. In Southern Kaduna , people are no longer being killed. Yes, we have security issues localised.
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He also pointed to tourism figures and foreign reserves as indicators of change.
“But I’m gonna tell you 1.2 million tourists visited Nigeria, Lagos for Detty December; not one was killed, not one robbery, not one domestic incidence. So, I’m telling you, Nigeria is better right now, we have gone from a foreign reserve of less than N30bn . Now we have a foreign reserve of N50bn, approaching N51bn.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to reflect on past challenges when assessing the present situation.
“In two years, president Tinubu has added $67bn to the economy. What is there not like, that’s why I support City Boy Movement and I’m urging you, remember where we re coming from so you remember where we are today.”