Alake: Tinubu’s reforms unprecedented in Nigeria’s history
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has described President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms as unprecedented in Nigeria’s history, challenging critics to a public debate over the scale of the administration’s policies.
Alake, who is also Director of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Manifesto Committee, spoke in Abuja at the unveiling of the party’s manifesto for the 2027 presidential election, titled From Reform to Prosperity: 2027–2031.
He said the Tinubu administration had implemented far-reaching structural changes across the economy in the past three and a half years, insisting that no civilian government since Nigeria’s independence in 1960 had undertaken reforms of comparable scope.
“I challenge anybody who disagrees with me to a public debate. Since Nigeria became independent in 1960, no civilian administration has undertaken reforms as extensive as what this administration has done,” he said.
The minister said the manifesto was designed to consolidate the ongoing economic adjustments and translate them into improved living standards and prosperity for Nigerians between 2027 and 2031.
He attributed the government’s willingness to implement difficult policies to Tinubu’s determination to prioritise national interest over personal and political considerations.
Alake identified the removal of petrol subsidy and reforms in the foreign exchange market as major decisions aimed at correcting longstanding economic distortions.
On subsidy removal, he argued that the arrangement had become a drain on public resources, alleging that some individuals and groups exploited it through smuggling, over-invoicing and other fraudulent practices.
