The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has urged Nigerians to adjust their lifestyles, reduce unnecessary spending and live within their financial means amid the country’s economic challenges.
Issa-Onilu gave the advice during an appearance on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, where he stressed the need for citizens to adopt more responsible spending habits, including managing their electricity consumption.
According to him, Nigerians must begin to examine their lifestyles and make adjustments that reflect their financial capacity rather than continue spending beyond what they can afford.
The NOA boss particularly cited electricity consumption, arguing that people who travel abroad would notice that households often switch off lights and air conditioners when occupants leave for work.
He, however, observed that the practice was different in many Nigerian homes, where electricity-consuming appliances are sometimes left running even when nobody is around.
“You must have travelled abroad. You don’t go to anybody’s house as we speak, who has gone to work and you see the AC working or you see the light on,” he said.
Issa-Onilu maintained that lifestyle adjustment should not be interpreted as suffering but as a necessary responsibility, adding that Nigerians must learn to prioritise their needs and spend according to their earnings.
“Adjust is not suffering, adjust is living within your means,” he added.
His comments come amid widespread public concerns over the rising cost of living and criticism of the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
