The Presidency has defended the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that the measures were necessary to stop Nigeria from slipping into a deeper economic crisis.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the administration’s decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidy and reforms in the foreign exchange market, were aimed at restoring fiscal stability, attracting investors and repositioning the economy for sustainable growth.
Dare made the remarks on Saturday during a Northern Stakeholders Town Hall meeting held in Kaduna State.
The programme was organised by supporters of President Tinubu under the Tinubu Door-to-Door Movement, with participants also backing the President’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Dare, although the reforms have brought hardship to many Nigerians, they were introduced to address long-standing structural challenges affecting the nation’s economy.
He said the government could no longer sustain policies that placed huge pressure on public finances without delivering lasting economic benefits.
Describing the reforms as “difficult but necessary,” the presidential aide maintained that positive results were already beginning to emerge in critical sectors of the economy.
Dare explained that the removal of fuel subsidy and the foreign exchange reforms formed part of a wider strategy to place Nigeria on a stronger economic foundation.
He added that the Tinubu administration remained committed to policies that would improve the country’s fiscal health and create opportunities for long-term national development.
Organisers of the town hall said the engagement was designed to help citizens better understand government policies while creating an avenue for grassroots stakeholders to provide feedback on governance and policy implementation.
National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Sunday Adekanbi, said the forum was aimed at strengthening communication between the government and the people.
Adekanbi stressed the importance of direct engagement with citizens, especially during a period of major reforms across several sectors.
He added that the movement would continue to provide platforms for Nigerians to ask questions, make contributions and participate in discussions on national development.
Other speakers at the event also assessed the Tinubu administration’s governance style and key policy reforms.
Among them was Professor Solomon Gushibet, Head of the Centre for Financial Economics at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.
Gushibet examined the economic implications of the Federal Government’s reforms and their potential long-term impact on national development.
He stated that the success of the policies would depend largely on consistent implementation, effective communication and the government’s ability to respond to public concerns.
The discussions also highlighted infrastructure projects and social investment programmes introduced under the Tinubu administration.
Representing Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, said the removal of fuel subsidy had increased the financial capacity of states to execute development projects and governance programmes.
Maiyaki also linked the gradual return of peace in troubled communities across Kaduna State to deliberate governance and security measures introduced by the state government.
He reaffirmed the state government’s support for policies aimed at promoting security, economic growth and development.
Participants at the town hall called for continuity in government policies, arguing that long-term economic stability could only be achieved through sustained implementation of reforms.
Several stakeholders at the event also endorsed President Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying continuity would enable the administration to consolidate ongoing programmes.
The organisers disclosed that similar town hall meetings would be organised in other parts of the country ahead of the 2027 general elections to sustain dialogue between the government and citizens.
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