Nigerians Earning ₦60,000 Monthly Better Off Than Some Who Japa Five Years Ago — Tinubu Aide

 

By Abel Chigozie 

The Presidency has argued that some Nigerians earning as little as ₦60,000 per month are living better lives than certain compatriots who relocated abroad under the popular "Japa" trend about five years ago.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, made the assertion while defending the administration's economic policies.

According to Bwala, the perception that every Nigerian who migrated abroad automatically enjoys a better standard of living is misleading. He said many Nigerians who left the country years ago are now struggling with the high cost of living, heavy taxation and expensive housing in their host countries.

He maintained that income should not be judged by its nominal value alone but by its purchasing power and the cost of living in different countries. Bwala argued that when these factors are considered, a Nigerian earning ₦60,000 monthly could be financially better positioned than some migrants abroad who face significantly higher living expenses. 

The presidential aide also pointed to the Federal Government's economic reforms, including the implementation of a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000, as part of efforts to improve workers' welfare and strengthen the economy. 

His remarks have sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians debating the comparison between living conditions at home and those of citizens who relocated overseas.