Nigeria: Tinubu’s reforms laying foundation for long-term prosperity, says Info Minister
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the bold economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu are repositioning Nigeria for long-term prosperity by improving stability, boosting investor confidence, and accelerating national development.
Idris made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the APC Forum of Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly, FOPSHA.
According to the minister, within three years the Tinubu administration has taken decisions that previous governments avoided for decades, and those choices are now producing results.
“President Bola Tinubu took courageous decisions that previous administrations avoided for decades,” Idris said.
“Today, Nigeria is witnessing greater fiscal stability, improved investor confidence, enhanced infrastructure development and expanding opportunities for citizens. The foundation has been laid for a more prosperous future.”
He listed some of the key reforms to include the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reforms, and measures that have improved fiscal capacity for both the Federal Government and state governments.
Other achievements he highlighted were the expansion of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, growth in external reserves, improved Gross Domestic Product performance, and progress on major infrastructure projects.
Idris pointed to landmark projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway as examples of the administration’s focus on connecting the country and opening up economic corridors.
He also said there has been strengthened effort to tackle insecurity, noting that stability is essential for investment and development to thrive.
“These reforms were not easy, but they were necessary,” he said. “We are beginning to see the dividends in terms of macroeconomic stability and the confidence that both local and international investors are showing in Nigeria.”
During the meeting, the minister assured the FOPSHA delegation of media support from government-owned platforms.
He said the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, and the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, would provide effective coverage for the Forum’s forthcoming National Executive Council and Board of Trustees meeting.
The coverage, he explained, is in line with the Ministry’s mandate to keep Nigerians accurately informed on matters of national importance.
Idris also urged members of the forum to leverage their experience and grassroots reach to deepen public understanding of the administration’s _Renewed Hope Agenda_.
“You have served at the state level and you understand the concerns of the people,” he told the delegation. “Use that platform to explain the long-term benefits of these reforms. Nigerians need to know why these decisions were taken and where they are leading us.”
Earlier, Senator Esinlokun said the visit was to brief the minister on the Forum’s activities and to seek support in publicising its upcoming meeting.
He said the meeting will bring together former Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, former governors, former ministers and distinguished senators.
According to him, FOPSHA remains committed to mobilising grassroots support for the Renewed Hope Agenda through sustained engagement with Nigerians across the country.
“The former presiding officers have a unique role,” Esinlokun said. “We were at the heart of lawmaking in our states. We understand policy, and we understand the people. We want to work with the Ministry to ensure that government policies are well communicated and understood.”
Also present at the visit were the Secretary of the Forum, Prof. Matoh Dogara; Director of Production, Publication and Documentary, Mr. Ibidapo Okunnu; and Deputy Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Ms. Fatoke Folasade, among others.
The Tinubu administration, which came into office in May 2023, moved quickly to implement two major economic changes: the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market.
Government officials have argued that both steps were needed to stop leakages, free up revenue for development, and create a more transparent business environment.
The administration has also prioritized infrastructure, education financing, and security. The expansion of NELFUND is aimed at giving more students access to tertiary education without financial barriers, while the highway projects are designed to improve trade and connectivity across regions.
Critics of the reforms have pointed to short-term hardship caused by higher fuel prices and inflation. But government officials maintain that the pain is temporary and that the structural changes will deliver sustainable growth.
Idris echoed that position during the meeting, saying the focus now is on consolidation and communication.
The minister said the next phase will involve ensuring that citizens feel the impact of the reforms in their daily lives through jobs, better services, and improved infrastructure.
He commended FOPSHA for its continued contribution to democratic governance and urged the group to serve as a bridge between government and communities.
“Nigeria is at a turning point,” Idris said. “The decisions we have taken in the last three years are setting us on a new path. What we need now is patience, understanding, and collective effort to see it through.”
With the 2027 elections approaching, the administration is expected to intensify public engagement around its economic agenda. Partnerships with groups like FOPSHA are seen as part of that strategy to take the message to the grassroots.
For now, the message from the Ministry of Information is clear: the reforms are painful, but they are working, and they are designed to secure prosperity for future generations.
