- The airline tycoon stated that people who earn two hundred thousand Naira in Nigeria are well off and better than those earning two thousand pounds in the UK.
The CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has shared his perspective on the socio-economic realities of Nigeria and the United Kingdom and the purchasing power of people living in the two countries.
The airline tycoon stated that people who earn two hundred thousand Naira in Nigeria are well off and better than those earning two thousand pounds in the UK.
Speaking when he appeared on TVC on Wednesday, he stated that Nigeria’s economic challenges are largely “artificial”.
Onyema urged Nigerians to desist from demarketing and demonetising the country.
To buttress his assertion, he noted that those earning £2000 pound in UK live from hand to mouth and are miserable while those who earned N200k in Nigeria live a kingly life with all the trappings of modernity at their disposal.
He added: “Go to London, if you earn two thousand pounds a month in London, you’re a pauper. What two thousand pounds can afford you is like two thousand Naira.”
He continued: “The person earning two hundred thousand Naira in Nigeria is better.”
Onyema added that with earnings of 200,000, a Nigerian can afford a maid, a driver and other domestic staff.
He said he believes completely that the Naira has more value than is being projected when compared to other foreign currencies.
Onyema’s opinion has elicited divergent reactions with many saying his claims are at variance with the prevailing economic situation of both countries.
While 200k may seem a lot in Nigeria, it value has been eroded by galloping inflation and the depreciation of the naira.
Those who don’t share Onyema’s sentiment pointed out that N200,000 can’t get you, even in Nigeria, the same goods and services that £2000 will get you in the UK.