2027: What Tinubu, Obi, Atiku, others have promised Nigerians so far

In the lead-up to the January 2027 Nigerian presidential election, the 18 candidates vying for the top seat have been outlining their policies across a range of key issues. With the Independent National Electoral Commission having released the final list of candidates and their running mates on September 12, 2026, the campaign promises being made focus heavily on the cost of living, petrol prices, electricity, security and economic management.

Among the main pledges, President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) underscores his administration's economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and adjustments to the foreign exchange system. Tinubu highlighted investments in infrastructure, power, education, security and the oil and gas sector, while promising to continue the economic programme if re-elected.

He assured that his four-year tenure would focus on economic expansion, industrialisation, energy security, infrastructure development, food sufficiency, and consolidating democracy.

On the subject of electricity, Tinubu noted that power generation has been increased at various times and metering has been expanded, with ongoing efforts to resolve debts in the sector. He defended the removal of subsidies and other reforms as essential for stabilising the economy, while opposition candidates have proposed distinct approaches to petrol pricing and economic intervention.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vowed to reinstate fuel subsidy if elected, arguing that Nigerians have not benefited sufficiently from the savings associated with its removal. After initial confusion over his position, Atiku reaffirmed his stance on returning the subsidy. He questioned where the funds saved through subsidy removal had gone, suggesting an alternative intervention tied to domestic crude production and refining rather than simply reverting to the previous import-based arrangement. Atiku also proposed a production subsidy for locally refined petroleum products.

Meanwhile, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) advocates for a transparent and structured fuel subsidy, ensuring no corruption associated with the previous system. Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, pledged to establish a system for tracking crude production, transactions and revenues. He also promised to retain Nigeria's floating naira policy, introduced by Tinubu's administration, while focusing on boosting productivity to strengthen the currency.

Obi's broader agenda includes investments in agriculture, education, security, infrastructure and rail transportation, as well as increasing power generation and distribution by at least 10,000MW within four years.