The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga has refuted claims that the president holds the position of Nigeria’s petroleum minister.
Onanuga who featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today, clarified that the oil sector is managed by two appointed ministers, emphasizing that Tinubu’s supervisory role extends across all ministries.
“The President has never referred to himself as the Minister of Petroleum. That label was assigned by the media,” Onanuga stated, explaining that the government has designated two separate ministers for the sector, including one focused on developing Nigeria’s gas resources.
“This administration is rectifying past oversights by prioritizing gas, a resource Nigeria has in abundance,” he added.
Onanuga also addressed public perceptions of Tinubu’s response to economic hardship, countering narratives that the president is indifferent to citizens’ struggles.
“President Tinubu feels Nigerians’ pain and is dedicated to bringing relief. He is not here to hurt; he’s here to heal,” Onanuga remarked.
Describing the economic transition as challenging but necessary, he reassured Nigerians of the president’s long-term vision.
“This is a painful transition, but it’s part of a broader strategy to build a prosperous future for Nigeria,” he said, reiterating Tinubu’s commitment to stabilizing the economy.
