Nollywood actor, kunle remi has voiced concern over Nigeria’s deteriorating economic conditions, pointing to the sharp increase in fuel prices and its ripple effects on businesses and individuals.
In an Instagram video, the actor said he previously avoided political discussions but now believes staying silent is “stupid” given the current situation.
Kunle shared his personal experience, revealing that he has been relying heavily on a generator despite living on Lagos Island, an area often assumed to have better infrastructure.
He also expressed worries about small businesses and workers who depend on petrol or diesel to operate while grappling with rising transportation costs.
“I do not even know how to begin this conversation. Usually, I say things like, I do not get involved in politics, I do not talk about politics. In fact, the country, the industry, a couple of things, they will tell you do not discuss religion or politics or something and so you fall into that category where you say I do not like to talk politics,” he said.
“No, that’s the most stupid statement from anybody in Nigeria right now. We should be discussing. We should be talking about it. We should be trying to fix. We have been running the generator back to back. I live on the island, so there’s no special treatment.
“So I can imagine diesel, most of all the malls and companies down to the smallest barber shop run on petrol or diesel. I am blown away because I am mentally stressed and I cannot even lie. So you do not have light, diesel is expensive, fuel is expensive.
“A couple of my staff are letting me understand that to even come to work now is a problem because the transport is hiking, meaning that their salary is not even enough anymore in a very short period.”
The actor questioned why Nigeria, despite being an oil-producing country, remains highly vulnerable to global shocks.
“I don’t understand why Nigeria is one of the first countries to be affected by the war in Iran. A blessed nation, a country that is a resourceful nation, is complaining about fuel price because we are dependent on one refinery,” he added.
“And even the refineries never got the full support of the government, and then the nation has different refineries that don’t function. I don’t understand.”
Kunle’s remarks come days after fellow actor Okunu also criticised petroleum marketers over the recent increase in petrol prices.