Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has defended President Bola Tinubu’s administration amid public complaints over rising food prices and the cost of living, arguing that the country’s economic situation is not as bad as some Nigerians portray it.

The actor urged citizens to reflect on their circumstances before Tinubu assumed office, questioning what some of those complaining about hunger had been eating and how they had been managing their lives before the current administration.

Kosoko made the remarks during an interview on the Talktobpodcast, hosted by actress Biola Adebayo and published on Saturday.

Speaking about the hardship confronting Nigerians, the veteran actor acknowledged that many people were struggling but maintained that the situation should not be viewed entirely through the lens of public complaints.

“When you see people saying, ‘I am hungry, I am hungry,’ go and check the majority of those people saying that before Tinubu came. What were they doing? What were they eating? Every year, things change,” he said.

Kosoko insisted that the country’s economic circumstances were not as dire as some critics had suggested, pointing to the different ways people continued to earn money.

“People make money here and there. Some people might still be unlucky, but that is not to say their own time will not come,” he said.

He, however, clarified that he was not suggesting that Nigerians were enjoying comfortable living conditions.

“I’m not saying things are rosy,” the actor added.

Kosoko called on Nigerians to give Tinubu and members of his administration more time to pursue their policies and complete their plans for the country.

“Let’s try and allow Mr President and his team to finish what they started,” he said.

The actor also defended the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that maintaining the arrangement had created financial problems that could have serious consequences for the country in the future.

He likened the subsidy to borrowing money without a clear plan for repayment, suggesting that the policy’s immediate benefits had to be weighed against its longer-term financial implications.

According to Kosoko, money that Nigerians might have saved through subsidised petrol could have been directed towards essential expenses, including school fees. He also pointed to the student loan scheme as a way of helping to shoulder some of the financial responsibilities traditionally borne by parents.

His comments come amid continued public debate over the effects of the subsidy removal, particularly its contribution to higher transport costs and the rising prices of goods and services.

Kosoko also questioned the role of traders and sellers in the escalation of prices, arguing that Nigerians should examine how their own commercial practices contribute to the economic pressures affecting households.

“We are enemies of ourselves because when they continue to say, ‘Ah, the price is up,’ then who is hiking it? Who is putting it up? Is it not ourselves?” he asked.

On public demonstrations against economic hardship, the actor said destructive protests were unacceptable, although he acknowledged the importance of criticism in drawing the government’s attention to citizens’ difficulties.

“Destructive protest is not welcome,” he said, adding that people should be able to express their concerns so the government could understand where the hardship was being felt.

Kosoko also dismissed the idea of relocating abroad as a solution to the country’s challenges, saying his family ties remained an important reason to stay in Nigeria.

“Even if I am able to japa, don’t I have families, relatives still at home?” he said.

The actor concluded by urging Nigerians to remain hopeful about the country’s future, describing Nigeria as a great nation despite its current challenges.

“Nigeria is a great country,” he said.

Kosoko’s remarks add to the ongoing public debate over Tinubu’s economic policies, with supporters urging patience as reforms continue and critics questioning the immediate impact of those measures on household incomes, food affordability and living standards.