Nigeria’s Economic Woes: Basketmouth Laments Country’s Decline

Comedian Basketmouth has sparked controversy with his candid views on Nigeria’s economic struggles and leadership. In a recent viral interview with AFRIMMA, the comedian expressed his frustrations about the country’s economic hardship, citing rising inflation and the depreciation of the naira since 1970.

According to Basketmouth, the current state of affairs is dire, with the value of the naira plummeting from one naira to a dollar in 1970 to N1600 to a dollar today. He questioned the government’s policies, asking what concrete steps have been taken to address the issue. “What are the policies? And what have they done?” he asked.

The comedian also drew attention to the recent increase in the cost of a 100-page passport from N100 to N100,000, suggesting that the government may be intentionally making life difficult for Nigerians to prompt them to leave the country, a phenomenon known as “japa.” He sarcastically added, “It’s not like I have given up hope, I’m hopeful maybe one day, the country will be better. Let all believe in that pipe dream. It’s over.”

Basketmouth’s remarks have sparked a heated debate on social media, with many Nigerians expressing their frustrations and disappointment with the government’s handling of the economy. The comedian’s candid views have also drawn praise from some who appreciate his willingness to speak truth to power.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic challenges, Basketmouth’s comments serve as a stark reminder of the need for meaningful reforms and a more effective leadership. While some may view his remarks as pessimistic, others see them as a call to action, urging Nigerians to demand better from their leaders.