Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has cautioned against the prevailing optimism on Nigeria’s economic reforms, saying that despite positive macroeconomic indicators, millions of Nigerians have not yet experienced any significant improvement in their daily lives.

The former governor of Abia state said this on Monday in Sokoto after commissioning a road project executed by the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu at Arkilla New Layout area. His remarks come amidst growing debate over whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms are bearing concrete dividends for the ordinary Nigerian.

Kalu conceded that there have been improvements in the broader economy, but he said that worsening insecurity and economic hardship have prevented many citizens from benefiting from the gains being touted by government officials.

The senator said he had personally raised his concerns with President Tinubu, pointing out what he called the growing gap between positive economic data and the realities facing families and small businesses across the country.

Today things may seem hard. “Why, yes, I am, as you see, an industrialist. The macro economy is doing well but the micro economy is not. I told the President this,” he said.

Kalu argued that security is the missing link in Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts, saying that no reform programme can thrive when investors, businesses and communities still battle with instability and violence.

“What this country needs is economic expansion so that there can be money, prosperity and goodness to Nigerians. He said: “This is what the country needs.”

Kalu praised Tinubu for his efforts to grow the economy with his policies even as he criticized him. He however said that the reforms would continue to attract scrutiny until the benefits become visible at the grassroots.

He expressed confidence that increased investment in security would help unlock economic opportunities, boost prosperity and ensure that the gains of reform were felt outside official economic reports.

Kalu also took the opportunity to repeat his call for national unity.

“Nigeria is one and I will continue to pray and plead for the unity of this country until I die,” he said.

The senator also praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his drive on infrastructure in Sokoto State and thanked him for the invitation to commission the road projects.