The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Lere Olayinka, has challenged the perception of some Generation Z Nigerians about the country’s economic situation, arguing that Nigeria has made progress compared with previous years.
Olayinka made the remarks during an interview with the African Independent Television, uploaded on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
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He suggested that some young Nigerians were only beginning to understand the country’s economic realities after becoming adults and taking responsibility for their own needs.
According to him, many members of Generation Z grew up relying on their parents for basic necessities and therefore had limited experience of the financial pressures involved in providing for themselves.
He said the transition to adulthood had exposed them to economic difficulties they might not have fully understood while growing up.
The minister’s aide also pointed to technological advancement as evidence of changes in the country, particularly in the media and employment sectors.
Recalling his experience in journalism, Olayinka said he previously travelled by road from Bauchi to Jos to transmit reports, while video recordings had to be transported in VHS cassettes to television stations.
He contrasted those experiences with the opportunities available today, noting that technological developments had made content creation easier and opened up new ways for people to earn money through social media platforms.
Olayinka argued that individuals could now create and distribute content from their homes without going through the traditional processes that journalists previously depended on.
He said technology had created employment opportunities that were not readily available when he began his career.
The presidential aide also urged Nigerians to move away from what he described as a persistent narrative that the country was experiencing widespread hunger.
He argued that despite the economic difficulties facing citizens, people were still making investments and building houses.
Olayinka acknowledged that homelessness also existed in developed countries, adding that the responsibility of government was to create an enabling environment for citizens.
The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Lere Olayinka, has challenged the perception of some Generation Z Nigerians about the country’s economic situation, arguing that Nigeria has made progress compared with previous years.
Olayinka made the remarks during an interview with the African Independent Television, uploaded on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
He suggested that some young Nigerians were only beginning to understand the country’s economic realities after becoming adults and taking responsibility for their own needs.
According to him, many members of Generation Z grew up relying on their parents for basic necessities and therefore had limited experience of the financial pressures involved in providing for themselves.
He said the transition to adulthood had exposed them to economic difficulties they might not have fully understood while growing up.
The minister’s aide also pointed to technological advancement as evidence of changes in the country, particularly in the media and employment sectors.
Recalling his experience in journalism, Olayinka said he previously travelled by road from Bauchi to Jos to transmit reports, while video recordings had to be transported in VHS cassettes to television stations.
He contrasted those experiences with the opportunities available today, noting that technological developments had made content creation easier and opened up new ways for people to earn money through social media platforms.
Olayinka argued that individuals could now create and distribute content from their homes without going through the traditional processes that journalists previously depended on.
He said technology had created employment opportunities that were not readily available when he began his career.
The presidential aide also urged Nigerians to move away from what he described as a persistent narrative that the country was experiencing widespread hunger.
He argued that despite the economic difficulties facing citizens, people were still making investments and building houses.
Olayinka acknowledged that homelessness also existed in developed countries, adding that the responsibility of government was to create an enabling environment for citizens.
He maintained that improvements in technology and access to opportunities should form part of the broader conversation about Nigeria’s development.
Also read: Google launches free offline AI training for Nigerians
He maintained that improvements in technology and access to opportunities should form part of the broader conversation about Nigeria’s development.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
