Economic policy has been adrift since Mr Buhari came to power, and investors complain about the central bank's use of trade controls and import restrictions.
Serious reform is always painful: Mrs Thatcher was widely loathed in her radical second term; Tony Blair complained about the “scars on my back” from his fights with public-sector workers.
With anger rising in many of the worst-afflicted communities over the lack of relief, these volunteers are readying supplies-even though no one is sure when they will reach those in need.