A few months after procuring a new presidential jet for his office amid economic hardships in the country, President Bola Tinubu has begged Nigerians to bear pain and be patient with his government.

In his Independence Day speech marking Nigeria’s 64th anniversary on Tuesday, Mr Tinubu acknowledged that Nigerians are suffering from unemployment and rising costs of living but called for patience.

“Once again I plead for your patience,” Mr Tinubu said. “I understand the struggles many of you face in these challenging times. Our administration knows that many of you struggle with rising costs and the search for meaningful employment.”

He added, “I want to assure you that your voices are heard. As your president, I want to assure you that your voices are heard, and I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to the suffering of our citizens.”

This comes barely two months after Mr Tinubu took delivery of a new presidential jet, a development many Nigerians criticised as insensitive and extravagant amid economic hardships in the country.

With petrol prices soaring from N145 to about N1000 and the naira trading for about N1,700 under Mr Tinubu’s watch due to his dual policies of fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, Nigerians have witnessed unprecedented spikes in the cost of living.

In August, Nigerians in their thousands hit the streets across the nation, protesting over economic hardships for 10 days.

Mr Tinubu’s call for patience in his broadcast elicited reactions from Nigerians, many of whom berated him as T-Pain, a nickname coined from the first letter of his name and the pain Nigerians are suffering under his watch.

“To cut the long story short, T-Pain says there will be light at the end of the tunnel,” said an X user, @EdacheAbuh.

@EbaideEigbe said, “Patience is difficult when purchasing power has been divided by 6.”