Former senator Shehu Sani has called on the federal government to adopt a more compassionate approach to its economic reforms, acknowledging the pain such measures bring but emphasizing the need for empathy. During an interview on Arise Television on Monday, Sani noted that implementing economic reforms anywhere often results in hardship and can render leaders unpopular. However, he expressed confidence that public opinion toward President Bola Tinubu would improve once Nigerians begin to see the benefits of their sacrifices.

“You can’t implement a reform that inflicts hardship and denies people the basics, and people will be applauding you. It never happened anywhere,” Sani said. He explained that such changes are inherently challenging and that enduring the discomfort is part of “the risk you have to take when you want to change the political economy and social direction of a nation.”

Sani stressed the importance of reforms “with a human face,” cautioning that the government should avoid pushing the populace to a breaking point. He added, “If you are reforming the economy and it is about the people, it should not reach a point where when the fruits come, everyone has died.”

Sani also underscored the need for leaders to make visible sacrifices alongside citizens. “Sacrifice should be seen to be across the board. If people can’t pay their rent or school fees and cannot afford to buy food, and their lives are brutish, harsh, and terrible, it should be seen on the side of the leaders too,” he remarked, urging leaders to demonstrate solidarity through personal sacrifice amidst the nation’s economic challenges.