Lagos: President Bola Tinubu says difficult economic reforms undertaken by his administration saved Nigeria from economic collapse and have started yielding positive results across key sectors. Tinubu stated this when Vice-President Kashim Shettima and governors led by Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, paid him the traditional Sallah homage at his Lagos residence. The president thanked the governors for their support and sacrifices in sustaining public confidence during the implementation of the reforms.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Tinubu reflected on the challenges surrounding his emergence as president and the tough economic decisions taken since assuming office. He emphasized that the removal of fuel subsidy required courage and conviction. Despite litigations, criticisms, and economic difficulties, the administration remained focused on preventing national bankruptcy. Tinubu declared, ‘Instead of bankruptcy, Nigeria has survived. The economy has recovered. The impact is growing. Agriculture is booming, food is here.’
Tinubu commended the governors for persuading Nigerians to remain patient during the implementation of what he described as painful but necessary reforms. ‘You kept the spirit. You kept the hope. You persuaded our people to be patient and endure these three years of painful reform where we put the economy on reset,’ he said. The positive impact of the reforms, according to Tinubu, is already visible in the economy and infrastructure development across the country. He noted improvements in macroeconomic indices, ongoing construction in roads and infrastructure, and the rehabilitation of abandoned projects.
The president highlighted the progress in the housing sector and underscored the importance of agriculture in achieving food sovereignty and economic prosperity. ‘Housing is coming on very well. Agriculture will prosper again. We will achieve food sovereignty if we utilize the lands in your various states effectively,’ he stated. Tinubu also mentioned that many state governments were no longer relying on federal interventions to pay salaries, attributing this to better economic management. He identified the economic potential of ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway corridor, which could support irrigation, farming, and electricity.
Tinubu expressed gratitude to the governors for their continued faith in his leadership and support for the administration’s programs. Earlier, Vice-President Shettima remarked that the Eid-el-Kabir festival symbolized sacrifice, patience, courage, and leadership, virtues demonstrated by Tinubu through his reform agenda. Shettima emphasized that leadership involves making difficult decisions in the national interest, highlighting the positive impact of the administration’s reforms on improved allocations and fiscal stability.
Governor AbdulRazaq commended the president for his efforts in building a peaceful and egalitarian nation and pledged the continued support of governors toward building a prosperous Nigeria. The event was attended by governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Mohammed Bago of Niger, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, some deputy governors, among others.