Nigeria has too many lazy people who do not want to work, always complaining about hunger — APC Chieftain Ayiri Emami

Chief Ayiri Emami, a businessman and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticised repeated complaints about hunger in Nigeria, insisting that food insecurity is not exclusive to the country.

Speaking in a recent video, Ayiri Emami said many Nigerians are unwilling to engage in productive work, while describing hunger as a global issue rather than a uniquely Nigerian problem.

“They are always complaining about hunger. Food insecurity is not only in Nigeria. It is everywhere,” he said.

He also echoed a past controversial remark associated with President Muhammadu Buhari on work ethic, suggesting that some citizens avoid work opportunities.

“Nigeria has too many lazy people that don’t want to work,” Emami stated in the video, adding, “People just want to sit down and complain.”

On governance, Emami said the current administration under President Bola Tinubu is focused on productivity, taxation, and economic contribution, particularly in infrastructure development.

According to him, “The government wants people to work, pay taxes, and contribute to building the country.”

He also drew a distinction between arms of government, noting that he does not seek personal benefits from lawmakers.

“I don’t ask anything from the National Assembly. Their job is to make laws,” he said.

However, he admitted to engaging the executive arm when necessary, adding: “Where you work is where you eat from.”