Jakarta:The Presidency has asserted that the economic and institutional transformation under President Bola Tinubu is unstoppable, despite criticisms of his administration’s policies.
Accourding to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, made this statement in response to a publication by The Economist. The publication suggested that Nigerians are dissatisfied with their President but might still re-elect him. Dare criticized the portrayal as inaccurate and reflective of opposition narratives that fail to capture the complex realities of the country.
Dare explained that foreign commentators often portray Nigeria’s challenges with sensationalist narratives, overlooking efforts to address longstanding structural weaknesses in the economy. He emphasized that Tinubu inherited a challenging economic situation, with issues such as fuel subsidy burdens, multiple foreign exchange windows, and high debt-service obligations.
The administration has reportedly tackled these challenges through reforms aimed at restoring fiscal sustainability and repositioning the economy for growth. Dare highlighted that the removal of the fuel subsidy has stopped significant leakages, allowing the government to redirect resources towards productive development. Additionally, the rationalization of the foreign exchange market has reduced systemic arbitrage and strengthened investor confidence.
The presidential aide also noted the implementation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which has enabled many indigent students to pursue higher education, and the financial autonomy granted to local governments as significant steps towards development. Other government measures, such as increasing the national minimum wage, providing targeted palliatives, and deploying compressed natural gas buses, have helped cushion economic pressures.
Dare pointed to interventions in agriculture, including fertilizer distribution, agro-loans, and modern farming equipment, as support for food production. He claimed that these reforms are benefiting students, workers, farmers, and local government stakeholders across Nigeria.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s security challenges and global economic pressures, Dare argued that these complexities should not be reduced to narratives of helplessness. He described Tinubu as a “master strategist” whose policies are guiding Nigeria towards sustainable growth, fiscal independence, and prosperity. The notion of inevitable rejection, according to Dare, is being challenged by tangible gains from the administration’s reforms.