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, insisting that Nigeria has improved compared with previous years.

Olayinka made the remarks during an interview with African Independent Television, where he argued that many young Nigerians began to understand the country’s economic realities only after becoming adults and taking responsibility for their own needs.

He explained that while growing up, many members of the generation depended on their parents for basic necessities and were therefore less exposed to the financial pressures associated with providing for themselves.

According to him, the transition to adulthood has made some young people more conscious of economic challenges, influencing their perception of the country.

The minister’s aide also cited technological advancement as evidence of progress, recalling the difficulties journalists encountered in the past when transmitting reports.

He said he previously travelled by road from Bauchi to Jos to uplink reports, while recorded video materials had to be transported in VHS cassettes to television stations.

Olayinka noted that technological developments had made content creation and distribution easier, allowing people to earn money through social media platforms without leaving their homes.

He argued that such opportunities were largely unavailable when he was growing up.

Addressing concerns about hunger and economic hardship, Olayinka urged Nigerians to move away from what he described as a persistent narrative of widespread hunger, pointing to people who continued to build houses despite prevailing economic difficulties.

He also observed that homelessness existed in developed countries, adding that the government’s responsibility was to create an enabling environment for citizens.

His comments come amid continuing public debate over the cost of living and the impact of economic conditions on young Nigerians.