Senate President Godswill Akpabio has drawn attention with a lighthearted remark encouraging Nigerians to take advantage of any opportunity to eat free food amid the country’s economic difficulties. In a video that went viral on Sunday, Akpabio, unperturbed by the ongoing hardship, advised, “Times are tough, so wherever you see free food, please avail yourself.”

His comment, made during a Senate plenary session, prompted laughter from fellow senators but comes at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with soaring food prices and a strained economy. The challenges stem from government policies such as the removal of the fuel subsidy, the floating of the naira, and increased taxes.

Fuel prices, for instance, have skyrocketed, with filling stations in Abuja hiking rates to N1,030 per litre, up from N897, while Lagos stations now charge N998 per litre, compared to N868 just a month ago.

Akpabio, known for controversial statements, had previously stirred controversy during a July event in Port Harcourt. While addressing a conference of Niger Delta ethnic nationalities, he mocked Nigerians planning the #EndBadGovernance protest, saying, “Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be here eating.”