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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, the President Bola Tinubu administration has never failed to tell the world it inherited an economy on ventilators whenever the opportunity presented itself.
However, it is coursing ahead with tough and unpopular reforms. Though painful, President Tinubu likens his policies to uncomfortable surgical procedures needed for national recovery and long-term prosperity.
This comes as critics warn of rising hardship and public discontent, but the President sees prosperity on the horizon, not problems.
The country, though resilient, comes with a history of squandered opportunities and national wealth.
However, unlike previous administrations, which retreated in the face of protests triggered by discomforting reforms, Tinubu has braved the odds to push through difficult policies.
The most scathing is the fuel subsidy removal, a perennial scheme forged by few influential Nigerians for their benefit while siphoning billions of dollars, which ought to have been channelled into more productive ventures of national interest.
“We cannot continue subsidising something that drains our resources and stifles growth. Though the path is difficult, it is necessary for a sustainable Nigeria. We are soldiers in the battle for Nigeria’s future. We must endure short-term pain for long-term gain. Subsidy removal? It is painful but vital. We will invest saved resources into the backbone of the nation, our roads, our schools, our health system,” Tinubu stated in 2023 when scrapping the fuel subsidy regime.
The junking of fuel subsidy won international applause but sparked fierce criticism across the country. As vulnerable Nigerians await the fruits of the reforms, many stakeholders, including opposition political parties, business leaders and interest groups, continue to push back against them, insisting the policies are whips designed by insensitive politicians to torture the people.
Meanwhile, the Tinubu administration and its supporters contend that the nation’s development trajectory is on course as the ongoing reforms will usher in a period of economic boom in the long term.
Many contend that the Tinubu administration has demonstrated strong resolve to succeed. Vice President Kashim Shettima corroborated this recently, saying, “Leadership is not about yielding to pressure but making decisions that secure the future of our nation…No nation grows by bowing to protestors when there is a need for Phoenix-like rebirth. We must ensure stability and infrastructure improvements to benefit all Nigerians.”
The Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the subsidy removal as a “crucial turning point,” framing it as a step toward fiscal responsibility and transparency essential for the economy’s revival: “Facts must guide the discourse, our policies aim to cleanse Nigeria’s economy and improve governance structures. Reform is never popular but always necessary.”
Positives
The administration points to significant fiscal benefits following the subsidy removal, emphasising increased government savings and redirected funds into infrastructure and social programmes development. The National Orientation Agency (NOA) reports a more than 500 percent surge in government savings in the first quarter of 2023 after the policy, with over ₦1.85 trillion used for debt reduction and ₦20 trillion earmarked for infrastructure. These allocations have raised hopes of improved road networks, healthcare, and educational facilities.
Private sector leaders like Aliko Dangote have praised such reforms. “These are tough decisions that were long overdue. If managed properly, they have the potential to stabilise Nigeria’s economy and attract investment.” Other investors and business leaders have noted that there is greater regulatory clarity and a more business-friendly environment under Tinubu’s stewardship.
Inflation, poverty, public outrage
However, the social cost has been palpable. The removal of subsidies triggered unintended consequences including price hikes, with petrol prices leaping from a subsidised N190 to over N600 per litre in many parts of the country, fueling inflationary pressures that ripple through transport, food, and household costs. The ripple effect of the decision by the government has a huge impact on the cost of living with citizens bearing the brunt. This crude adjustment has deepened economic hardship for ordinary Nigerians, especially the poorest of the poor.
Prominent critics includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, People Democratic Party 2023 presidential candidate continues to condemn the economic approach of Tinubu’s administration decried the policy thus, “These policies, especially drastic subsidy removal, have unleashed inflationary spirals that our people can ill afford.” Atiku argued that the government underestimated the human cost of its economic policy, calling for greater palliatives to cushion its impact on Nigerians.
Peter Obi, another opposition figure and Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate, gave a stern criticism of the policy, “While reforms are necessary, they must prioritise protecting vulnerable Nigerians who bear the brunt of sudden economic shocks”.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana warned that insecurity could worsen unless the government couples economic reforms with meaningful social interventions.
Oby Ezekwesili, former Vice President of World Bank and critic lamented worsening poverty and called for more equitable tax policies aligned with social justice.
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Security and governance challenges
Security remains a critical challenge. Critics say Tinubu’s government has not done enough to quell rising violence and banditry in various parts of the country. Atiku characterised the administration’s security architecture as “ineffective and disorganised”, while Falana called for judicial reform alongside an enhanced policing system. In a rebuttal to opposition voices, the government counters that it is making tangible progress, citing the increased military deployments and community engagement programmes in key areas of the country including the North East, North West and North Central Nigeria where security agencies are recording more wins in these hot spots.
In governance, questions linger around President Tinubu continued retention of appointees whose tenures have long expired, such as Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service whose tenure was extended by one year, raising concerns about bureaucratic delays and potential corruption. Critics warn that these actions undermine the administration’s reformist image. The government had argued that the extension will enable Adeniyi to complete the ongoing reforms within the services which he leads.
Delay in diplomatic appointments
Another fault line of the administration highlighted has been the perceived delays in making ambassadorial appointments for Nigerian missions abroad. Many observers including the leading opposition figures, Atiku and Obi argue that President Tinubu’s delay in announcing diplomatic postings have weakened Nigeria’s global standing and engagement within the international community. Former foreign affairs, Bolaji Akinyemi, also a notable scholar in international relations, argued that this is an unusual situation as the nation had never waited for this long to fill vacancies in diplomatic positions at the highest levels.
But then Tinubu responded, “Appointments must be strategic and merit-based. We are deliberate, not distracted by haste”. Recall that for more than two years Nigeria has had no substantive ambassadors and high commissioners in its over 100 diplomatic missions across the globe. Many believe that Nigeria’s voice on the international arena remains mute with this high level of diplomacy on their post for two years now.
On the frequent foreign trips by President Tinubu, critics argue that it leads to neglect of local issues, but Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media to the President explains that these travels are vital for securing international partnerships critical to Nigeria’s development agenda.
Tax overhaul
The Tinubu administration has pursued a comprehensive tax administration reform aimed at increasing the tax and concomitant increase in the nation’s profile and receivable. Nigerians are now familiar with regular interventions of the Chairman, the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, who has become the poster boy of the Tinubu.
Earlier in the life of the administration, the issue of the low number of Nigerians on the tax net as well as Nigeria’s poor revenue profile has been key policy discussion. The chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), in his intervention on the issue disclosed in September 2023 that less than 40 million Nigerians are captured in the nation’s tax net and are paying taxes. Shehu argued that this is too low for a nation with over 200 million population.
In October 2024, President Tinubu sent four executive bills to the National Assembly focused on achieving the administration’s Tax reforms agenda. The bills expectedly attracted intense debate across including the leading opposition parties, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party and civil society groups which saw these bills as anti-people legislations, capable of deepening poverty among the vulnerable people in Nigeria.
The four bills were passed by the National Assembly after rigorous engagement with Nigerians has redefined the nation’s tax system for a long time to come. Though opinions are divided on the impact of the legislation. Though the new tax regimes are expected to commence in January 2026, many hope it will bring the nation’s tax administration under a new ecosystem which some argue will result in efficiency in the collection system and be less cumbersome.
The new tax legislations include Nigeria Tax Act 2024 which will consolidate existing tax laws into a unified framework, simplifying the tax system and making it more accessible for taxpayers.
Secondly, the Tax Administration Act aims at streamlining tax administration processes, enhancing efficiency and reducing bureaucratic hurdles for both taxpayers and authorities.
Thirdly, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act, which will create a centralised tax agency, the Nigeria Revenue Service, to replace multiple tax collection bodies, thereby improving coordination and effectiveness. Additionally, Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act, which will establish a Joint Revenue Board to harmonize tax policies across federal, state, and local governments, ensuring consistency and fairness in tax administration.
Reported nepotism in appointments
In May 2023, President Tinubu began making his initial appointments aimed at filling vacancies in the government; some Nigerians frowned on what they alleged was over concentration of key appointments from the South West. They argue that most juicy positions in the government are given to those from the President’s ethnic group, while the rest of the country gets less positions. Recall that under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, similar allegations of lop-sided appointments surfaced with critics of the administration accusing President Buhari of an ethnicisation agenda.
Supporters of President Tinubu including some of the administration’s spokespersons have intervened to address these allegations which they claimed is unfounded but simple politicisation of appointments by the opposition elements.
Sunday Dare, Presidential adviser on Communication in responding to the allegation noted that President Tinubu is a nationalist who remained fair and equitable in the appointments.
According to him, the evidence does not support the position, adding that all zones of the country are fully represented across sectors. He argued that President Tinubu’s government is diverse and inclusive.
Though the debate around the lopsided appointments will not go away any time soon, the administration continues to engage with Nigerians that there are still positions which are yet to be filled, insisting that it is still work in progress. Debate over lopsided appointments remains a recurring decimal in Nigeria’s political history as no administration since the return to democratic rule in 1999 has been spared from the allegations.
