Tinubu’s reforms gaining ground, economy recovering – Bagudu
By Kunle Sanni
As Nigeria marks two years under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, key government figures have praised the administration’s economic reforms and developmental strides, calling for patience and continued support from Nigerians.
Speaking in Lagos after a Sallah homage to the President, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, said the nation’s economy—though not yet where it ought to be—is now firmly back on track. He attributed the turnaround to tough but necessary structural reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.
“We’re not where we want to be, but these steps have turned the economy in the right direction,” Bagudu stated. He emphasized the significance of ending longstanding subsidies on fuel, electricity, and foreign exchange, noting that the decisions freed up critical resources for national development.
“Decades of underinvestment brought Nigeria to a point where even paying salaries was difficult,” he noted. “Now, subnational governments—states and local councils—have nearly tripled the funds they had before. That’s transformative.”
According to the Minister, the additional resources are being channeled into vital sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, digital innovation, consumer credit, and human capital development. He noted a growing investor confidence in the economy, citing a return of both domestic and international private capital.
“These are not abstract promises. We are seeing real allocations going to security, education, and economic empowerment,” Bagudu said, adding that President Tinubu’s bold decisions were necessary to lay a strong foundation for lasting growth.
Bagudu also referenced the recent wave of political realignments, with governors and politicians from opposition parties joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the development as a vote of confidence in Tinubu’s leadership.
“They joined not just because of politics but because of belief in a future being built with sincerity and courage,” he said.
In a separate interview, a member of the newly inaugurated North West Development Commission (NWDC), Mallam Aminu Suleiman, echoed similar sentiments, stating that President Tinubu’s first two years have had more impact than the past administration’s eight-year tenure.
