When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged victorious in Nigeria’s 2023 general election, his ascent to power signaled more than a change of leadership; it marked the beginning of a difficult but deliberate shift in the country’s governance and economic direction. From the outset, the administration was confronted with public anger and skepticism, largely triggered by the removal of fuel subsidy—an issue that quickly became symbolic of the hardship many Nigerians were experiencing.
Yet, contrary to widespread belief, the subsidy removal did not originate with the Tinubu administration. The policy had already been set in motion under former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose government made no budgetary provision for fuel subsidy beyond June 2023. Tinubu’s government merely implemented what had become fiscally inevitable, inheriting both the policy and the political backlash that followed.
Nearly three years into his tenure at Aso Rock, signs of structural change are beginning to emerge, particularly in the areas of energy supply, security, and macroeconomic stability. One of the most visible shifts has been the relative stability in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Unlike previous years marked by recurring fuel scarcity, long queues, and market uncertainty, Nigerians have enjoyed a steadier availability of fuel—an outcome many now take for granted but which once seemed elusive.
Beyond fuel supply, the administration has pursued broader economic reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy. While the pains of adjustment have been real, voices from the private sector suggest that the reforms are beginning to yield measurable results. The Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Wale Smatt-Oyerinde, acknowledged that the economic reforms undertaken by the Tinubu administration helped restore macroeconomic stability in 2025.
He expressed optimism that these gains would increasingly translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians in 2026.
Manufacturers have echoed similar sentiments. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Coleman Technical Industries Limited, Mr. George Onafowokan, noted that improved macroeconomic indicators have positively influenced business conditions. According to him, manufacturers have benefited from relative naira stability, easing inflation, and steady economic growth.
“For the manufacturing sector, it’s been a stable year,” Onafowokan said. “We are seeing stability in the naira, inflation trending downwards, and economic growth of about 3.4 to 3.9 per cent, heading towards four per cent. That stability is a good thing for manufacturers.”
These assessments suggest that while the reforms may not yet have fully translated into widespread prosperity, the foundation for recovery is gradually being laid. As the popular saying goes, before gold begins to glitter, it must first pass through fire—a reality that many Nigerians are only beginning to appreciate, even as others remain unconvinced.
With the 2027 general election drawing closer, the political atmosphere is already heating up. Opposition parties and aspirants are positioning themselves aggressively, seeking to undermine the achievements of the current administration while presenting themselves as alternative saviors. In this charged environment, the battle may not only be over policy outcomes, but over perception itself.
As Nigeria stands at the crossroads of reform and politics, the Tinubu administration’s legacy may ultimately be judged by whether its early sacrifices yield lasting dividends for the average citizen.
Amid economic recalibration and rising political contestation, the coming months will test not just the resilience of the reforms, but the patience of a nation eager for results.
