Niger Delta human rights advocate and development campaigner, Mulade Sheriff, has raised serious concerns about the worsening living conditions in Nigeria, calling on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent and decisive steps to address what he described as preventable deaths caused by hunger, poverty, and insecurity.
In a statement shared with journalists on Tuesday, Mulade criticized what he sees as a widening gap between government actions and the realities faced by everyday Nigerians. He accused political leaders of prioritizing election strategies over tackling the growing hardship across the country.
He stressed the need for leaders to confront these challenges head-on, warning that many Nigerians are dying unnecessarily due to failures in governance, particularly in ensuring citizens’ welfare and security.
Mulade, who also serves as a United Nations Peace Ambassador, pointed out that the relative peace in the Niger Delta is largely due to ongoing youth engagement initiatives—especially pipeline surveillance contracts in the oil and gas sector. According to him, companies such as Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Pipeline Infrastructure Limited have helped provide jobs for young people, contributing to some level of economic stability in the region.
He warned that without these efforts, the Niger Delta could be facing a far worse security situation—possibly exceeding the challenges seen in other parts of the country, with serious implications for Nigeria’s economy.
As a traditional titleholder—the Ibe-Sorimowei of the oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State—Mulade urged the President to maintain and strengthen the pipeline surveillance system, describing it as vital to protecting the nation’s economic interests, especially with the 2027 general elections approaching.
He emphasized that the core duty of any government is to protect lives and property, cautioning against neglecting this responsibility in favor of political ambitions. He also noted that public trust in government is declining, as many Nigerians believe leaders are more focused on staying in power than on improving economic conditions, ensuring welfare, and driving national development.
Mulade concluded by calling on President Tinubu to act swiftly to stabilize the country, warning that failure to do so could lead to even more severe consequences. He added that Nigeria must aim to truly become Africa’s economic powerhouse—not just in size and population, but in real development and stability.
