Nigeria’s Progress Under President Tinubu: A Rebuttal to Atiku’s Claims

Nigeria’s Progress Under President Tinubu: A Rebuttal to Atiku’s Claims

The Presidency has responded to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s claims that Nigeria is being ravaged by hunger, insisting that the country is moving in the right direction under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dismissed Atiku’s remarks as “cheap talk” and accused him of being out of touch with the positive developments in the country.

Onanuga highlighted several key economic indicators that demonstrate Nigeria’s progress under Tinubu’s leadership .
–  The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently released figures showing that headline inflation has declined for the fifth consecutive month.
– The NBS also reported a record trade surplus, with non-oil exports contributing nearly as much to the trade balance as crude oil.
Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves are approaching $42 billion, up from $32 billion when Tinubu took office.
– States are now able to pay salaries and gratuities promptly and still have surplus funds for capital and social projects.

The Tinubu administration has implemented several reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy and promoting growth. These reforms include .
– Automating the process of Import Duty Exemption Certificates and strengthening trade and tariff organs.
– Exempting food, medicine, and essentials from VAT to reduce costs for households.
– Investing in power infrastructure and road development, such as the Lagos-Calabar coastal road.
– Launching initiatives like the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund and the Casual Jobs Scheme to generate employment opportunities.

While the Presidency highlights the progress made under Tinubu’s leadership, economists and financial analysts have rated the administration’s performance low in terms of improving the cost of living for the majority of Nigerians. The administration’s reforms have led to increased revenue, but the impact on the general population remains a subject of debate .