Independence Day: Shun broad generalisation, assess Tinubu’s economic policies factually — Analyst to Nigerians

Public affairs analyst Ibrahim Uba has cautioned Nigerians against making sweeping judgments about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies, urging instead a fact-based evaluation. Uba made his remarks on Thursday, Independence Day, in Abuja, criticizing those promoting the "Tinubu Must Go" campaign, asserting they lack Nigerian citizens' best interests in mind.

His comments followed Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Vice President, endorsing the "Tinubu Must Go" campaign during his Independence Day remarks, attributing Nigerians' economic struggles to Tinubu's administration. Uba pointed to several economic indicators as evidence that Tinubu's policies were positively influencing Nigeria.

These indicators include a real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 4.43 percent in the second quarter of 2026, a decline in headline inflation to 15.39 percent in August, and enhanced access to credit. Uba argued that Nigerians should not be swayed by political tactics but should concentrate on the tangible changes Nigeria has experienced since Tinubu took office in 2023.

He noted that while Nigeria's real GDP growth increased to 4.43 percent in the second quarter of 2026 from 4.23 percent in the same period the previous year and 3.89 percent in the first quarter of 2026, the Consumer Price Index continued to rise, implying that households continue to face escalating prices, albeit at a slower rate.

Uba emphasized the importance of public discourse on Nigeria's economic challenges being grounded in empirical data, allowing competing viewpoints to be scrutinized against factual evidence.