Nigerians Are Used to Easy Money, Not Hard Work – Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu Defends Hardship Under Tinubu

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has defended the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying Nigerians’ discomfort with the ongoing reforms is rooted in a culture of expecting “easy money” rather than embracing hard work.

Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly on Tuesday, the senator representing Abia North and Chief Whip of the Senate acknowledged that citizens are suffering under the current economic climate. However, he insisted that the discomfort is a necessary phase in Nigeria’s journey toward long-term financial stability.

“Let me be honest with you. I’m a businessman, not a politician,” Kalu said. “People are suffering — yes, I agree with that. But the reforms are starting to have an effect at the macro level. Over time, this will trickle down. I believe that in the next two to three years, Nigerians will begin to see the full benefits of what the President is doing.”

Kalu praised President Tinubu for taking what he called unprecedented steps to address structural issues in the economy — particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates.

“Since 1960, this is the first President — and I have the facts — who stopped the fuel subsidy. This is the first President who merged the dollar rates. That is why we are suffering — because Nigerians are not used to working hard. We’re used to getting easy money,” he said.

The senator criticized past systems that allowed individuals to profit without contributing to economic productivity. “People used to sit in their houses, use their phones, get dollars, and sell at very high rates. Others operated tank farms, pushed paper, and made millions. This is one President who has said: if you want to make money, do it the right way. If you’re not ready, then leave it.”

While acknowledging that the reforms have not yet brought relief to the average Nigerian, Kalu urged citizens to remain patient, emphasizing that real economic change takes time.

He concluded by reiterating his belief in the administration’s direction: “We have to change the way we think about money and work. The President is laying the foundation for a different kind of economy — one built on productivity, not shortcuts.”