Uproar as Kenyan President mocks Nigerians’ spoken English

Kenyan President William Ruto has pushed back against President Bola Tinubu’s comments on Nigeria’s economic standing, sparking debate after also joking about Nigerians’ English usage.

William Ruto has criticised Nigeria’s economic conditions and English usage in response to comments by Bola Tinubu suggesting Nigerians are better off than citizens of some other African countries.

The exchange followed remarks by Tinubu during a visit to Bayelsa State, where he defended his administration’s economic policies despite rising fuel prices. “It is very important that we are honest with our people. Yes, I hear you from various angles of the economy. The fuel price is biting hard, but look around, let us thank God together, that you are better off. Listen to them in Kenya and other African countries and what they are going through. We will not look back. We will continue to fine way to ameliorate the sufferings of the vulnerable,” Tinubu had said. In a viral response, Ruto pushed back, citing infrastructure challenges in Nigeria and joking about language differences. “Our education is good. Our English is good. We speak the best English in the world. If you listen to a Nigerian speak English, you’ll need a translator. We’ve the best human capital anywhere in the world,” Ruto said.

The exchange has triggered reactions on social media, with many users criticising both the comparison and the tone of the remarks amid broader economic pressures across Africa. One X user, Bureau-39, wrote, “Let’s not drag the whole country into this shit between two incompetent mad corrupt politicians. Both the countries speak good English, Kenya leans toward a clearer, more British-influenced style, while Nigeria mixes it with rich local flair and pidgin that can sound like its own dialect.”

Another commenter, Frank Bryant, questioned the basis of the debate, saying, “Why should Africans be competing over who speaks the colonial masters language very well?”

Xave added, “and you think they would listen to you the only thing Africans are good at is fighting amongst themselves.”

Obiridike commented, “They will do that Ghanaians and South Africans say all Nigerians are thieves and drug peddlers.”

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