Nigeria at 66: Tinubu took difficult decisions in 2023 – FG

President Bola Tinubu's administration in Nigeria faced and implemented difficult and politically unpopular decisions in 2023, according to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. Speaking during a ministerial briefing marking Nigeria's 66th Independence celebration in Abuja, Idris highlighted that Tinubu chose to tackle longstanding distortions head-on during his first years in office.

Idris stated that despite these challenging decisions, which were not popular with the public, Nigeria's trajectory has been marked by progress. "About three years ago, President Bola Tinubu assumed office amid some very significant and structural challenges, and physical challenges," Idris noted. His administration's resolve to confront these issues, despite the political costs, has led to tangible benefits for the nation.

The Minister pointed to a 4.43 percent growth in Nigeria's real Gross Domestic Product compared to the previous year, an increase in foreign reserves, an expanded domestic refining capacity, and a surge in investment and productive activity. These achievements, Idris emphasized, mark Nigeria moving forward from a phase of reform and stabilization towards a new era of growth and shared prosperity.

Just recently, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria reported that the country's foreign reserve has crossed the $55 billion milestone for the first time in 18 years, underscoring the positive impact of Tinubu's tough decisions.