“Monumental failure” — Atiku says 40% of Nigeria's breadmakers have collapsed under Tinubu's high-cost economy in two years
Photo: Atiku Abubakar · Source: Diaspora Digital Media (2026)
Bread, diesel, gas — Atiku's three numbers. One bakery's diesel bill went from ₦9m to ₦19m a month. Is the cost of living now the biggest campaign issue?
Key points
- Atiku says the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria has lost nearly 40% of its membership within two years amid rising energy costs, high interest rates and production expenses.
- He said one operator's monthly diesel bill rose from ₦9m to ₦19m, small bakeries need ₦40m–₦50m to switch to alternative energy, and loan interest rates reach 34%.
- The 40% figure is Atiku's claim citing the association — NOT independently verified. The gas prices he cited match the morning report's verified market checks.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (ADC presidential candidate) issued a statement in Bauchi on Saturday, 14 November, through his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, saying the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria has lost nearly 40% of its membership within two years amid rising energy costs, high interest rates and production expenses.
He said energy accounts for about half of bakery production costs; one operator's monthly diesel bill reportedly rose from ₦9m to ₦19m; small bakeries need ₦40m–₦50m to switch to alternative energy; and businesses face loan interest rates as high as 34%. He also cited cooking gas at ₦1,800/kg in Abuja and ₦1,650 in parts of Lagos/Ogun, and depot prices up 31.8% in a month (₦1,100→₦1,450/kg).
His verdict: “From farmers to manufacturers and now bakers, the verdict on Tinubu's economic reforms cannot be clearer: they have been a monumental failure.” He questioned federal borrowing while local businesses die. He was in Bauchi continuing his “affordable life” campaign tour.
The 40% membership-loss figure is Atiku's claim citing the association — NOT independently verified, and it is presented here as his claim, not an established fact. The gas prices he cited match the morning report's verified market checks. The statement converts the morning's gas-price story into a campaign attack with concrete, relatable numbers — bread, diesel, gas — issued from Bauchi on the same day Tinubu rallied in Jos.
Why this matters
It converts the morning's gas-price story into a campaign attack with concrete, relatable numbers — bread, diesel, gas — and it is the opposition's sharpest economic line of the day, issued from Bauchi on the same day Tinubu rallied in Jos.
Latest developments
First published 14 Nov 2026, 19:27 WAT.
Related coverage on NewsFlux:
- Cooking gas hits ₦1,800/kg in Abuja as depot prices jump 31.8% — a 12.5kg refill now costs ₦22,500 · 14 Nov 2026, 08:20 WAT
- Labour wants ₦300,000 minimum wage — “₦70,000 can no longer guarantee a decent standard of living” · 12 Nov 2026, 19:18 WAT
- UK and Nigeria seal a $750m infrastructure deal as pension funds prepare to unlock billions · 11 Nov 2026, 10:17 WAT
Sources
- Leadership — Atiku blames Tinubu's high-cost economy for collapse of 40% bakery businesses (14 Nov 2026)
- ThisDay — Monumental failure: Atiku slams Tinubu over breadmakers' shutdown (14 Nov 2026)
- Legit.ng — Atiku: Tinubu's economy wiped out 40% of Nigeria's breadmakers in 2 years (14 Nov 2026)
- GWG — Atiku raises alarm as breadmakers lose 40% membership amid rising business costs (14 Nov 2026)
The 40% membership-loss figure is Atiku's claim citing the association — NOT independently verified. The gas prices he cited match the morning report's verified market checks.