Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, stating that while the changes are challenging in the short term, they are setting the foundation for long-term recovery and growth.
“We’re not where we want to be but these steps have turned the economy in the right direction,” Bagudu said after meeting with the President in Lagos.
He noted that the removal of fuel, electricity, and forex subsidies has freed up significant resources, enabling states and local governments to receive nearly three times the funds they previously had. “That’s transformative,” he said, pointing out increased investment in infrastructure, agriculture, education, and security.
Highlighting rising investor confidence, Bagudu added: “Investors are taking Nigeria seriously again. They see a government making tough but necessary choices.”
He likened the reforms to building a house: “When someone starts by filling the hole under a house, you might think they’ve done nothing… but President Tinubu has been honest.”
Bagudu also cited defections to the APC from opposition figures as a sign of growing confidence in Tinubu’s leadership. “That’s not politics. That’s belief in a future being built with courage and vision.”
Supporting the minister’s remarks, North West Development Commission (NWDC) member Mallam Aminu Suleiman described Tinubu’s two years as more effective than the previous administration’s eight.
“Given the full privilege of a four-year term, I am confident he will transform Nigeria,” Suleiman said. He also praised the creation of the NWDC, calling it a welcome step for the region’s nearly 19 million residents.
“He has done it in Lagos. We know, God willing, he will do it for the entire country,” he added, urging Nigerians to remain patient: “The foundation being laid is solid. With time, we will all see the results.”
