Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has defended the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, stating that the administration made painful but necessary sacrifices to prevent Nigeria from sliding into fiscal collapse.
In an article titled, “Bola Tinubu: The Man Who Took the Bullet for Nigeria to Survive,” Onanuga accused opposition politicians of intensifying misinformation campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections despite what he described as the administration’s notable achievements.
According to him, Tinubu inherited a struggling economy characterised by fuel scarcity, multiple exchange rates, huge debt servicing obligations, low government revenue and an unsustainable fuel subsidy regime.
He said the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira were difficult but essential reforms that have significantly improved allocations to states.
“The man who has taken the bullets to make Nigeria survive a fiscal disaster is even more willing to take additional bullets to make all Nigerians safe,” he stated.
Onanuga added that increased allocations from the Federation Account have enabled several state governments to fund projects and pay workers’ salaries, while also driving visible development across parts of the country.
“When local councils begin to receive their allocations directly from the Federation Account, the Tinubu effect will ensure that more governance cascades down to the 774 local councils,” he said.
He also highlighted improvements in the stock market, ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, reforms in the energy sector, student loan initiatives through NELFUND, and consumer credit schemes under CREDICORP.
While acknowledging that insecurity remains a major challenge, Onanuga maintained that the Federal Government is strengthening security operations and international cooperation, insisting that the Tinubu administration will ultimately be remembered for its bold reforms.
