Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the creation of 300,000 businesses and over one million jobs through Federal Government interventions. Despite his claims of significant economic growth, Nigerians expressed skepticism, with many questioning the accuracy and visibility of the reported figures, reflecting widespread distrust in government announcements.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced that the Federal Government has facilitated the creation of over 300,000 businesses and generated over one million jobs within the past year, focusing on youth and women through various SME interventions. This statement was made during his visit to Jigawa State on July 23. He highlighted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewal Hope Agenda aims to combat poverty and foster economic growth by supporting medium and small-scale businesses, which make up over 65% of investments and employ 83% of the labor force in Nigeria. Shettima assured that the administration is committed to implementing policies that enhance Nigerians' social and economic well-being.
However, the public met the announcement with skepticism and mixed reactions. Many Nigerians expressed doubts about the figures provided by the Vice President. Social media comments ranged from questioning the accuracy of the numbers to outright disbelief. Some users mocked the announcement, suggesting that the figures were exaggerated or misrepresented. Comments included sarcastic remarks about the nature of the jobs created and the visibility of the businesses mentioned.
A few reactions were supportive, acknowledging the government's efforts to stimulate the economy and create employment opportunities. Yet, the majority of the feedback reflected a lack of trust in the administration's claims. Critics pointed out the ongoing economic challenges ordinary Nigerians face, including job losses and business closures, which contradict the optimistic report presented by Shettima.
The mixed reactions underscore the public's demand for transparency and tangible evidence of economic progress amid widespread skepticism about governmental announcements.
