Tinubu defends reforms as Atiku faults economic policies

President Bola Tinubu defended his administration's economic reforms on Tuesday, presenting them as essential for building a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the policies, questioning why Nigerians had to endure years of hardship before the government began promising relief. The exchange highlighted the deepening political divide over the country's economic direction as the 2027 general elections approach.

Speaking at the second edition of the Asiwaju Scorecard Series and Policy Roundtable in Abuja, Tinubu, represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, outlined the progress made since the administration took office on May 29, 2023. He cited the removal of fuel subsidies and reforms in the foreign exchange market as necessary steps to address years of economic uncertainty. According to the figures presented, Nigeria's gross external reserves rose to approximately $52.7 billion by August 2026, while consolidated non-oil revenue increased from about N13.63 trillion in 2023 to N16.4 trillion in the first two quarters of 2026. The administration also reported a significant...