APC communication lapses fuel discontent over Tinubu’s reforms – Uzodinma

Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma, has said growing public dissatisfaction with the reforms of President Bola Tinubu stems from poor communication rather than policy shortcomings.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Progressive Governors’ Forum–Renewed Hope Ambassadors Strategic Summit held at the State House Conference Hall in Abuja, Uzodinma acknowledged that although key economic indicators have improved significantly, many Nigerians remain unconvinced because the achievements have not been effectively communicated.

“The problem is not policy failure. The problem is communication failure — and that failure is on us,” he said, noting that reform outcomes have not been publicised at the same pace as implementation.

Uzodinma compared economic data from May 2023, when Tinubu assumed office, to February 2026. He said foreign reserves rose from $32 billion to $49 billion — a 53 per cent increase and the highest level in eight years. Net usable reserves, he added, climbed from about $3 billion to the high $30 billions, while the foreign exchange premium dropped from over 30 per cent to below 2 per cent.

On inflation, he stated that headline inflation declined from 22.4 per cent in May 2023 to 15.15 per cent by December 2025, while food inflation fell from nearly 40 per cent at its peak to 10.84 per cent. According to him, prices of staples such as rice, garri, beans, yam, potatoes, pepper, and tomatoes have continued to drop.

Crude oil production, he said, increased from roughly one million barrels per day in May 2023 to an average of 1.5 million barrels daily, with peaks of 1.6 million barrels including condensates.

Uzodinma also highlighted developments in the petroleum sector, noting that Nigeria previously spent about $20 billion annually importing refined fuel but now operates the Dangote Refinery, which has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. This, he said, has significantly reduced import dependence and strengthened energy security.

He added that the naira has recently recorded gains, with analysts predicting it could trade below N1,000 to the dollar before year-end.