Nigeria’s Ambassador designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has sparked reactions after claiming that Nigerians can survive on N3,000 daily and attributing Uber’s exit from the country to improvements in public transportation infrastructure.
Omokri made the remarks during a Channels Television appearance, where he discussed food prices, poverty and economic realities in Nigeria and the United States.
According to him, essential food items such as yam, rice and maize could be purchased with about N3,000 daily based on his personal market checks.
He argued that although the amount might amount to poverty in the United States, it could sustain an average Nigerian within the country’s economic environment.
The former presidential aide’s comments have generated criticism on social media, with Nigerians questioning whether the proposed amount could realistically cover the needs of individuals and families amid rising living costs.
Critics pointed to the increasing cost of food, transportation, rent, school fees, healthcare and other household necessities.
They also cited fuel prices, which social media users claimed were around N1,400 per litre, arguing that the cost of transportation and other essential services makes Omokri’s proposed budget unrealistic for many Nigerians.
Some users noted that a daily budget of N3,000 would amount to approximately N90,000 over 30 days, exceeding Nigeria’s N70,000 monthly minimum wage.
They argued that the calculation did not account for the number of dependants many workers support or the additional expenses associated with maintaining a household.
Omokri Links Uber Exit to Transport Infrastructure
In a separate claim during the interview Omokri attributed Uber’s reported exit from Nigeria in September 2026 to improvements in the country’s public transportation infrastructure.
He explained that the development of rail transportation systems, including Lagos’ Blue Line, Red Line and the upcoming Green Line, as well as the airport rail connection in Abuja, had made public transport more affordable.
According to him, the availability of cheaper transportation options reduced demand for Uber’s low ticket ride-hailing services, contributing to the company’s decision to wind down operations in Nigeria after 12 years.
Omokri’s position appeared to frame the reported exit as evidence of progress in Nigeria’s transport infrastructure and the availability of more affordable alternatives for commuters.
However, the claim has attracted skepticism from social media users who questioned the explanation and described it as a generous or misleading interpretation of the company’s departure.
Although Uber reportedly attributed its decision to exit Nigeria to a thorough review of its business and wider global restructuring efforts.
The company’s restructuring reportedly included about 3,300 job cuts, and the company did not publicly cite Lagos’ rail infrastructure or Abuja’s airport rail as reasons for its withdrawal.
Omokri’s comments on Uber have attracted mixed reactions, with some users questioning whether the company’s exit should be celebrated as a sign of transport progress.
Critics argued that the explanation overlooked broader economic challenges, including the impact of subsidy removal, inflation and the declining purchasing power of Nigerians.
They maintained that the availability of rail infrastructure does not automatically mean that every Nigerian has access to affordable and reliable public transportation.
The reactions have further fueled debates about the government’s economic policies, the cost of living and the interpretation of developments in Nigeria’s transport sector.
