Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has defended Nigeria's economic progress, challenging the negative perceptions held by some members of Generation Z. In an interview aired by African Independent Television, Olayinka argued that the current economic situation is better than in previous years, despite the challenges that many young Nigerians face today.

Olayinka pointed out that many young adults only began to grasp the realities of Nigeria's economy when they transitioned into adulthood and took on financial responsibilities for themselves. He noted that during their childhood, their parents managed their needs, which shielded them from the harsh economic realities. "That’s why people, a lot of the Gen Z generation now, because of what they have seen, because when they were growing up, and this is very funny, when they were growing up they didn’t know how Nigeria was. Their parents were providing for them. Now they have seen, they have to provide for themselves," he explained.

The aide also highlighted the significant technological advancements that have transformed various sectors, including journalism. He recounted his early experiences in the field, where he had to travel long distances to uplink reports and transport video recordings on VHS cassettes. Olayinka emphasized that the current technological landscape has made it easier for individuals to create content and earn income through social media platforms from the comfort of their homes.

"Now, technology has even provided jobs for a lot of people. Things that were not available to us, growing up," he stated, suggesting that the evolution of technology has opened new avenues for employment.

In his remarks, Olayinka urged Nigerians to shift away from a narrative focused solely on hardship and hunger. He pointed out that despite economic challenges, many individuals are still able to invest in housing and other ventures. "So let us not keep this mindset of telling people there’s hunger, there’s hunger, there’s hunger, there’s hunger. People are building houses now, today, as we are talking," he said.

He further acknowledged that homelessness is a reality even in developed nations, stressing that the government's role is to create an enabling environment for its citizens to thrive. "The only thing the government can do is to provide enabling environment," Olayinka concluded, reinforcing the idea that while challenges exist, there are also opportunities for growth and improvement in Nigeria's economy.