Nigerians already reaping benefits of Tinubu’s reforms – FG
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms are beginning to yield positive results for Nigerians, citing improvements in security, education, infrastructure and economic performance.
Idris said the administration’s policies were designed to address longstanding structural challenges and establish a solid foundation for sustainable national prosperity, adding that the next four years would focus on ensuring that more citizens feel the impact of the reforms.
The minister made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during the media presentation of the All Progressives Congress, APC, 2027 Presidential Election Manifesto.
Addressing concerns over who benefits from the government's reform agenda, Idris maintained that the policies were designed to serve Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliations.
“People often ask who is benefiting from the reforms. But when roads are built, everyone can use them. When security improves, everyone benefits. The 1.6 million Nigerian students supported through NELFUND are ordinary Nigerians, and they do not have to belong to any political party to benefit. These reforms are for all Nigerians,” the minister said.
He identified the improvement in the country's security situation, the Federal Government's student loan initiative and Nigeria's removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list as notable achievements of the Tinubu administration.
Idris also pointed to improved international credit ratings, declining inflation and stronger economic growth as indications that the government's policies were producing results.
He called on media organisations to sustain their watchdog responsibilities while giving balanced attention to positive developments, stressing that journalism should promote informed public discussions without compromising national unity.
“Journalists have an important duty to criticise government and point out areas that need improvement. But good journalism is not only about being adversarial. When you see something good, please report it. We may have different views about the government, but we must all care about Nigeria and work for the good of our country,” he added.
Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, described the APC manifesto as a formal commitment between the ruling party and Nigerians, noting that it outlines both the administration's achievements and its proposed targets for the next four years.
Gbajabiamila said the document contained specific and measurable promises that would enable citizens to monitor the government's performance. Among the targets, he disclosed, were plans to reduce the number of out-of-school children by 50 per cent by 2031 and provide seven million additional electricity meters.
He urged Nigerians to study the manifesto and demand accountability from the party on its commitments.
“A manifesto is a contract between the people and their leaders. Nigerians should read these commitments, discuss them, and hold us accountable for delivering them. We are asking for the mandate to make hard work pay better and ensure that opportunity reaches more people,” he said.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, described the APC as a structured political organisation with a defined agenda for national development.
He argued that the Tinubu administration had embarked on extensive structural reforms across several sectors, describing the scale and depth of the changes as unprecedented among Nigeria's civilian administrations.
“No other civilian administration in Nigeria has undertaken reforms as comprehensive and far-reaching as those being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The reforms address structural problems across different sectors and are designed to put the country on a path to lasting prosperity,” Alake stated.
Similarly, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said Tinubu's economic policies were driven by a long-term vision to reposition Nigeria and tackle deep-rooted challenges inherited from previous administrations.
Bagudu noted that private sector stakeholders had acknowledged some of the progress recorded under the current government. However, he stressed the importance of ensuring that economic improvements translate into better living conditions for ordinary citizens, particularly vulnerable households.
“President Tinubu believes Nigeria can become a two-trillion-dollar economy. He has taken difficult decisions to give the country a stronger foundation. However, he also recognises that more must be done to ensure that every Nigerian, especially hardworking families and vulnerable citizens, shares in the benefits of growth,” he said.
In her presentation, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, outlined the major components of the APC manifesto, explaining that its development agenda rests on four strategic pillars.
These include building a secure and resilient nation, improving living standards and affordability, accelerating energy and infrastructure development alongside economic expansion, and strengthening effective and accountable governance.
Oduwole also highlighted the party's proposed targets on food security, reducing the cost of living, boosting local manufacturing, expanding exports and creating employment opportunities.
She disclosed that the government was targeting one million export-related jobs for young Nigerians by 2030, alongside measures to strengthen domestic production and attract investment.
“By 2031, we want Nigerians to see, feel and share the benefits of structural progress and economic growth. Our priorities include stronger protection against insecurity, increased domestic food production, more goods made in Nigeria, and wider opportunities for young people through trade, investment and exports,” she said.
The media presentation brought together civil society representatives, industry experts, prominent journalists and other dignitaries to examine the APC's development priorities and proposed commitments for the 2027–2031 period.
The party said the manifesto would serve as a roadmap for its proposed policies and programmes, while providing Nigerians with clear benchmarks to assess its performance and demand accountability.