Fact-Checking Seyi Law’s Claims About Tinubu’s Administration On A Podcast
As the 2027 election approaches, various well-known individuals and Nigerian celebrities are publicly endorsing politicians. It further reinstates the importance of influencer marketing in politics and new media. They consistently post whenever the candidates they support do things that are satisfactory and criticise politicians they don’t like. Sometimes celebrities misinform or disinform their followers just to control a politician’s public perception. Many entertainers have been serenaded into politics, and one of them is the Nigerian comedian, actor, and businessman, and the senior special assistant to the Ondo State Governor, Oluseyi Aletile, popularly known as Seyi Law.
Seyi Law is a staunch supporter of the All Progressives Congress, APC and appeared on “The Honest Bunch Podcast,” where he engaged in a heated debate with activist Zekeri Idris regarding Nigerian politics, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, agriculture, and other things. When Seyi Law became a prominent and vocal supporter of the APC during the 2023 presidential election period, he faced backlash from many Nigerians.
During the podcast, Seyi Law made some claims to support his arguments and N-VA did a deep dive on the claims and assertions to verify them.
CLAIM 1: A Dollar Was 1,900 Naira Before Tinubu Became The President
VERIFICATION
When Tinubu was inaugurated on May 29, 2023, the naira was far below 1,900 naira per dollar. At the official Investors and Exporters (I&E) window, the exchange rate was about 460–465 naira per 1 dollar. In the parallel (black) market, the dollar traded roughly between 740 and 775 naira per 1 dollar. These figures show that the exchange rate was well under 1,000 naira, not 1,900 naira, when Tinubu assumed office.
The naira only rose above 1000 per dollar in early 2024, months after Tinubu took office. This sharp depreciation occurred after economic reforms such as the foreign-exchange market liberalisation and exchange rate unification, which allowed the currency to float more freely.
VERDICT
The claim that the exchange rate was 1900 naira against the dollar when Tinubu became president is FALSE. During Tinubu’s inauguration, the exchange rate was below 1000 naira.
CLAIM 2: Tinubu Was The First Person To Introduce WAEC Fee Payments For Government School Students
VERIFICATION
There is credible evidence that the policy of the Lagos State government paying WAEC fees for public school students started during Tinubu’s tenure as governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. Reports quoting the Lagos government state that the sponsorship of the WAEC examination for SS3 students began in 2000 when Tinubu was governor. According to the Lagos State government, the initiative started with about 200 million naira in 2000 and has since grown into a policy costing over 1 billion naira annually, with successive administrations continuing it.
VERDICT
The claim that Tinubu was the first person that introduced WAEC fees payments for government school students is TRUE. This policy was implemented when he was the governor of Lagos state.
CLAIM 3: Tinubu’s Government Has Killed More Bandits Than Any Government
VERIFICATION
Security agencies often announce successful operations where bandits are killed. For example, Nigerian troops reportedly killed 45 militants during clashes in Katsina State in March 2026.
Available data suggests that violence from banditry and insurgency has continued despite military operations. An analysis cited by media reports found that about 4,500 Nigerians were killed and over 7,000 kidnapped in the first year of Tinubu’s presidency, reflecting persistent insecurity. Recent incidents also highlight the continuing threat from armed groups. For instance, nearly 200 people were killed in attacks in Kwara and Katsina states in 2026, showing that bandit and militant violence remains widespread.
There is no publicly available comprehensive dataset comparing the number of bandits killed across different Nigerian administrations in Nigeria.
VERDICT
The claim that Tinubu’s government has killed more bandits than any government is UNVERIFIED. While Nigerian security forces under Tinubu have killed some bandits in various operations, there is no verified data proving his government has killed more bandits than previous administrations.
CLAIM 4: Tinubu’s Administration Has Increased Non-oil Exports To 6.1 Billion.
VERIFICATION
Figures released by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) indicate that Nigeria’s non-oil exports reached about 6.1 billion dollars in 2025, representing an 11.5% increase from 5.4 billion dollars recorded in 2024. The NEPC said the figure is the highest value ever recorded for Nigeria’s formal non-oil exports since the council was established nearly 50 years ago.
According to the NEPC’s chief executive, Nonye Ayeni, the increase reflects both higher export volumes and broader market access for Nigerian products such as agricultural goods, processed products and solid minerals. In 2025, Nigeria exported 281 different non-oil products, with export volumes rising to 8.02 million metric tonnes, up from 7.29 million tonnes in 2024.
VERDICT
The claim that the Tinubu’s administration has increased the non-oil exports to 6.1 billion is TRUE. In 2025, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council said that Nigeria’s non-oil exports reached about 6.1 billion dollars, the highest value ever recorded for Nigeria’s formal non-oil exports since the council was established nearly 50 years ago.
CONCLUSION
Out of the four claims he made on the podcast, claim 1 is FALSE, 2 and 4 are TRUE, while 3 is UNVERIFIED.
