Veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, has spoken regarding Nigeria’s current state, describing the nation’s economic and security challenges as the worst he has witnessed in his lifetime.
Speaking in an interview with Nevon Media, the media entrepreneur said the worsening cost of living and widespread hardship have left millions of Nigerians struggling to survive, with many turning to him for financial assistance.
According to Momodu, the scale of desperation among citizens has become so overwhelming that he now hesitates to check messages on his phone because they are often filled with pleas for help.
“The economy of Nigeria these days, even for me to open some messages on my phone, I’m scared, because everyone is begging. The suffering of the people, then of course, insecurity has never been this bad,” he said.
Reflecting on his decades of experience, the 66-year-old publisher said he had witnessed several difficult periods in Nigeria’s history but insisted that none compares with the current situation.
“I’m 66, approaching 67. So I’m old enough to know and understand the challenges we’ve encountered in Nigeria before now. Nothing can equal this.”
Momodu also criticised the government’s response to the country’s mounting challenges, arguing that Nigerians deserve greater accountability and empathy from those in power.
He expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of remorse from the country’s leadership, saying official assurances alone were no longer enough to reassure citizens.
“I’m not seeing any sense of remorse or atonement. Everything is, ‘We are doing something about it, we will do something about it.’”
The veteran journalist further stressed the importance of consistent engagement between leaders and the public, noting that transparent communication is essential during periods of national difficulty.
He said that if he were president, one of his immediate priorities would be to address Nigerians daily to keep them informed and build public confidence.
“Information is power. You must inform the citizenry every day.”