Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday defended the administration’s economic reforms, declaring that the President “took the bullets” necessary to prevent Nigeria from sliding into fiscal collapse.
Onanuga made the remarks in an opinion piece titled, “Bola Tinubu: the man who took the bullet for Nigeria to survive,” released as President Tinubu marked his third anniversary in office on Friday.
According to Onanuga, the Tinubu administration inherited a fragile economy weighed down by unsustainable subsidy payments, mounting debt obligations, foreign exchange instability, and dwindling investor confidence, insisting that the tough decisions taken since May 29, 2023 were aimed at rescuing the nation from economic disaster.
The presidential aide argued that although the reforms had caused temporary hardship for many Nigerians, they were necessary measures that previous administrations had avoided due to political considerations.
He said President Tinubu demonstrated unusual political courage by removing the fuel subsidy and initiating reforms in the foreign exchange market immediately after assuming office, despite widespread public criticism and resistance from opposition figures.
Onanuga maintained that the President knowingly accepted the political consequences of the policies in order to stabilise the economy and secure Nigeria’s long-term future.
“President Tinubu chose to take the bullets that others before him avoided. The painful but necessary reforms were designed to stop the country from sinking deeper into fiscal crisis,” he stated.
The presidential spokesman accused opposition politicians of intensifying what he described as coordinated campaigns of misinformation ahead of the 2027 general election, alleging that critics of the administration were deliberately ignoring signs of economic recovery while amplifying public dissatisfaction.
He claimed that some political actors had continued to distort government policies and spread false narratives to weaken public confidence in the administration.
According to him, despite prevailing economic challenges, several indicators showed that the reforms were beginning to yield positive outcomes.
Onanuga pointed to increased government revenue, renewed investor interest, improvements in foreign exchange inflows, and declining debt service pressures as evidence that the administration’s economic direction was producing results.
He also highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, investments in social intervention programmes, and efforts to boost local production as part of the administration’s broader economic recovery strategy.
The presidential aide further argued that the administration’s reforms were laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth and reducing the country’s dependence on borrowing to finance public expenditure.
He said the government remained committed to addressing inflation, improving food security, creating jobs, and expanding opportunities for Nigerians across various sectors.
Onanuga noted that while many Nigerians were understandably frustrated by rising living costs and economic hardship, history would ultimately vindicate President Tinubu’s decisions.
He insisted that the administration’s policies were beginning to reposition Nigeria for greater stability after years of structural weaknesses in the economy.
President Tinubu, who was sworn into office on May 29, 2023, marked his third anniversary in office on Friday amid mixed reactions from Nigerians over the state of the economy and living conditions in the country.
The President came into office after winning the 2023 presidential election and has since pursued a series of ambitious reforms targeted at stabilising public finances and attracting investment.
However, the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market contributed to rising inflation, increased transportation costs, and higher prices of goods and services, sparking criticism from labour unions, opposition parties, and civil society groups.
Despite the criticism, the Presidency has consistently defended the reforms as unavoidable steps required to prevent economic collapse and rebuild confidence in Nigeria’s economy.
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gradually intensify, the Tinubu administration appears determined to frame its economic reforms as difficult but necessary sacrifices aimed at securing the country’s future.
