KEY POINTS
- The FG says Nigeria is moving from fragility toward firmer footing under Tinubu’s reforms.
- It cites GDP growth of 4.07 percent in Q4 2025 and 3.89 percent in Q1 2026.
- NELFUND has supported over 1.058 million students, with more than N184bn disbursed.
The Federal Government on Tuesday mounted a robust defense of President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, declaring that Nigeria is steadily emerging from economic fragility despite the pains of ongoing reforms. At a Democracy Day press conference in Abuja marking 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule and the third year of the Renewed Hope Agenda, officials insisted the evidence points to recovery, growth and stronger institutions.
Economy on a ‘positive trajectory’
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented Tinubu, acknowledged the hardship facing Nigerians yet maintained that government policies are yielding results. “Government will never claim that every challenge has been solved. Inflation has been painful, insecurity still threatens lives and livelihoods,” he said. However, he added that Nigeria is “moving in the right direction, from fragility toward firmer footing.”
According to Akume, the economy grew 4.07 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 3.89 percent in the first quarter of 2026, which he said reflects rising investor confidence. Moreover, he highlighted the four major tax reform laws Tinubu signed in June 2025 to simplify compliance, improve transparency and boost domestic revenue. Earlier, Information Minister Mohammed Idris described Democracy Day as a moment for reflection and accountability, and he paid tribute to the late M.K.O. Abiola and other pro-democracy activists.
Social, security and anti-graft gains with Tinubu reforms
On welfare, Akume said NELFUND has supported more than 1.058 million students since the Student Loan Act took effect in April 2024, with over N184 billion disbursed. Furthermore, he said the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under Tinubu reforms had reached more than three million households, while CreditCorp expanded formal credit to over 200,000 Nigerians. He also cited funding for more than 8,000 primary healthcare centers, with plans to extend coverage to 13,000 facilities.
In addition, the SGF pointed to anti-corruption gains, noting that the EFCC contributed over N50 billion in recovered funds to the student loan scheme. Notably, he announced that the Financial Action Task Force removed Nigeria from its grey list in October 2025. On security, he conceded that the threat persists, yet he insisted, “The good news is that we are succeeding.”
Finally, Akume signaled the administration’s intention to seek re-election in 2027. “Our responsibility is to finish what we commenced in 2023,” he said, adding that the government “is prepared to be judged by evidence.”
