Falana Slams Nigerian Policies for Widening Wealth Gap, Calls for Equity

Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, on June 8, 2025, delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s economic policies under President Bola Tinubu, accusing them of enriching the elite while impoverishing the masses.

Falana argued that measures like fuel subsidy removal and naira devaluation have made life “rosy for the rich” but “harsh for the poor,” exacerbating inequality. The fiery address, attended by trade unionists and civil society, underscored the urgent need for pro-poor reforms to address Nigeria’s soaring inflation and unemployment.

Falana highlighted the 2025 budget’s allocation of N600 billion for luxury purchases, contrasting it with underfunded schools and hospitals, where 12 million children remain out of school. He cited the Central Bank of Nigeria’s data showing a 30% wealth concentration among 1% of the population, while 70% live below the poverty line. Policies like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, while ambitious, face criticism for prioritizing elite interests over rural infrastructure, Falana noted.

He praised labour’s resistance, urging sustained pressure through strikes, but cautioned against violence. The government, via Information Minister Mohammed Idris, defended its reforms, citing palliative distributions, but Falana dismissed these as “temporary fixes.” His call for a living wage and tax reforms resonated with workers, as protests loom in Abuja, signaling growing public frustration with economic disparities.