Nigerian officials call for lifestyle adjustments and social reform

Nigerian government officials have issued calls for citizens to address both social and economic challenges facing the nation. At the 2026 Social Norms Conference, Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello, Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), urged stakeholders to collaborate on community sensitization to combat harmful cultural norms. She emphasized that while traditions should be preserved, certain unwritten rules perpetuate inequality and limit human potential, particularly in rural communities.

Separately, Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), advised Nigerians to adjust their lifestyles to align with current economic realities. Speaking on Channels Television, Issa-Onilu encouraged citizens to manage spending and resource consumption, such as electricity, to live within their financial means. These remarks come as the administration of President Bola Tinubu faces scrutiny over economic policies and the resulting hardships experienced by families.