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President Ruto Reacts To Tinubu Over ‘Listen To Them In Kenya’ Comment, Mocks Nigeria’s English
A diplomatic row has emerged between Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and Kenya’s President William Ruto over their contrasting views on Africa’s economic realities.
The controversy began when Tinubu, during a working visit to Bayelsa State, defended his administration’s economic reforms despite growing concerns over rising fuel prices and the cost of living.
Speaking at the inauguration of key infrastructure projects, the President urged Nigerians to remain optimistic, stating that the country was better off than some of its African counterparts.
“It is very important that we are honest with our people. Yes, I hear you from various angles of the economy. The fuel price is biting hard, but look around, let us thank God together, that you are better off,” Tinubu said.
He added, “Listen to them in Kenya and other African countries and what they are going through. We will not look back. We will continue to find way to ameliorate the sufferings of the vulnerable.”
Naija News reports that the Kenyan leader has since criticised Nigeria’s economy and made controversial remarks about its English usage.
The exchange has since generated widespread reactions, particularly on social media, as citizens weigh in on the comments by both leaders.
Ruto Fires Back
Responding in a now-viral video, Ruto rejected Tinubu’s comparison, highlighting Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges, particularly its persistent electricity supply issues.
He also took a swipe at Nigeria’s English usage, using humour to underscore his point.
“Our education is good. Our English is good. We speak the best English in the world. If you listen to a Nigerian speak English, you’ll need a translator. We have the best human capital anywhere in the world,” Ruto said.
The exchange comes at a time when many African countries, including Nigeria and Kenya, are facing economic strain.
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Abdullahi Saidu as executive chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, along with 17 others as members of the boards of the FRC and the National Human Rights Commission.
The approvals came during plenary, after lawmakers considered and adopted reports from the Senate committees on finance and on judiciary, human rights and legal matters.
Presenting the report on the FRC nominees, Lere Oyewunmi, deputy chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the panel reviewed the nominees’ curricula vitae, educational qualifications and professional experience before recommending them for confirmation.
In a separate report, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, presented the panel’s recommendations on nominees to the NHRC governing council.
He said the nominations were referred to the committee on April 28, 2026, noting that screening took place on Tuesday.
According to him, the committee went through the nominees’ curricula vitae and supporting documents and was satisfied with their experience, qualifications, competence and exposure to human rights issues. It therefore recommended their confirmation as chairman and members of the council.
The confirmed nominees are:
The Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached far-reaching resolutions at the conciliation meetings convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The meetings, held on 22nd and 27th October, 2026 at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Abuja, were sequel to the communique issued at the end of the Joint meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC.
The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, CON, with representatives of the Federal Government in attendance, while the NLC delegation was led by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
After extensive deliberations on the issues raised, the meeting resolved as follows:
1. National Minimum Wage: It was agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately. However, there is a disagreement on the effective date of implementation.
2. Reduction in Petroleum Pump Price and Palliatives:
i. Federal Government will pay a transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000) across all levels for a period of six (6) months, commencing from November 2026.
ii. Peculiar Allowance has been approved by the Federal Government with effect from 1st May, 2026. Payment of arrears will commence in November 2026 in three equal monthly instalments.
iii. Nineteen (19) months arrears of allowances for health workers will be redeemed within three (3) months with effect from December 2026.
3. Tax Relief for Workers: As tax is a statutory matter, the issue of tax relief for workers will be taken to the National Executive Council (NEC).
4. Hazard Allowance for Agricultural Workers: The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of beneficiaries and cost implications to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for verification. Verification is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the template for implementation will be issued by NSIWC.
5. CONHESS Adjustment: The NSIWC promised to complete the update of the cost implication within three (3) weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to take a decision on the CONHESS adjustment.
The meeting also urged State and Local Governments to key into the intervention process, while unions were enjoined to push for its implementation at their respective levels.
Both parties agreed to reconvene after one month to appraise the level of implementation of the resolutions.
The meeting had in attendance the DG Budget, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu; Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, OHCSF, Dr. Garba Abdul S.U.; Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, CON; NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero; and National Secretary, JNPSNC, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga.
The National Assembly received a comprehensive list of proposed new local government areas (LGAs) across several states in Nigeria as of January, 2026.
The submission was reported to have included requests from multiple states, reflecting demands for administrative expansion and closer governance.
BREAKING: Senate Confirms Tinubu’s Fresh 18 Appointments [Full List]
MinimumWage: FG, NLC Reach Agreement At Conciliation Meeting, Details Emerge
