Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the unexpected drop in the price of crude oil has been the reason why the country’s people are suffering.
Buhari, who stated this on Thursday, said the crash in the oil price has left Nigeria poor, leaving it to struggle economically.
The President said this at the State House, Abuja, while receiving the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nations, Prof Babatunde Osotimehin.
“It has been a very difficult year for Nigeria. Before we came to office, petroleum sold for about $100 per barrel.
“Then it crashed to $37, and now oscillates between $40 and $45 per barrel. Suddenly, we’re a poor country, but commitment to transparency and accountability is not making people know that there is severe shortage,” Buhari said.
Asking UNFPA to bear with Nigeria in whichever area the country could not live up to its responsibilities for now, President Buhari said exploding population and different cultural practices in the country provide fertile ground for research to organizations like UNFPA.
Buhari thanked the UN agency for its commitment to saving lives in Nigeria, particularly of women and children.