Gains of Tinubu’s reforms already visible — Minister

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, has praised President Bola Tinubu's economic policies, asserting that the benefits of the administration's reforms are already evident despite the hardships faced by Nigerians. Oduwole acknowledged that the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023 brought economic challenges but was essential for addressing long-standing issues in the economy.

She emphasized the necessity of tackling these problems before expecting significant improvements, given Nigeria's economic struggles for four decades. "We had to fix that foundation," she stated.

Oduwole highlighted the positive impact of Tinubu's policies, such as lowering inflation and stabilizing foreign exchange rates, while acknowledging the high cost of living and citizens' hardships. She maintained that the Nigerian economy had been stabilized and that the country demonstrated resilience in the face of global economic shocks.

Tinubu's primary promise during the 2023 election campaign was to stabilize the economy, and the minister pointed out that four of the eight pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda focused on strengthening the Nigerian economy. She affirmed that Tinubu had shown the courage and understanding required to implement economic reforms and delivered on his promise, even if only partially.

Regarding the administration's commitment to creating one million jobs in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector within 24 months and reducing youth unemployment, Oduwole mentioned that the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy had already provided a significant number of jobs in the ICT field. She also cited other initiatives like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, increased infrastructure investment, and consumer credit programs as gains that would contribute to Tinubu's legacy.

The minister concluded by expressing confidence that history would judge Tinubu's administration favorably, emphasizing that the president did what he believed was right for Nigeria.