APC Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda defends Tinubu’s economic reforms, citing revenue gains, stability, and long-term benefits despite hardship.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has strongly defended Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing them as bold, necessary steps to stabilize Nigeria’s economy and secure lasting prosperity.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Yilwatda explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited an economy burdened by wasteful policies such as fuel subsidy.
According to him, removing subsidy and pursuing wider reforms was not only unavoidable but also supported across political and civic groups before it was finally implemented.
The APC chairman emphasized that subsidy removal was not a hasty or unilateral decision. He recalled that even opposition politicians, civil society groups, and economic experts had long described the subsidy regime as unsustainable.
“The truth is that subsidy had become unsustainable, and everybody agreed it had to go,” Yilwatda said.
He argued that the subsidy, once designed to cushion citizens, had turned into a drain on national resources and a source of corruption, enriching only a few powerful interests.
By scrapping it, Tinubu redirected billions of naira into the Federation Account, freeing resources for more productive sectors. This, Yilwatda stressed, demonstrates the courage behind Tinubu’s economic reforms.
Beyond subsidy removal, the APC chairman highlighted exchange rate unification and tax restructuring as other key pillars of the reforms. According to him, these measures have already boosted Nigeria’s fiscal position.
Before the reforms, monthly allocations to the Federation Account averaged about ₦500 billion.
Today, the figure has climbed to nearly ₦2 trillion. Yilwatda said this increase has allowed federal, state, and local governments to strengthen their finances and improve service delivery.
“No state is unable to pay salaries today,” he noted, adding that governors who once struggled to meet wage obligations are now paying with ease, while also directing more funds into development projects.
Yilwatda stressed that stronger revenue inflows are transforming governance at the grassroots.
States now have the financial space to focus on infrastructure, health, and education, while local governments are delivering more community-based services.
Previously, many local councils were seen as the weakest tier due to chronic underfunding. With increased allocations, however, they are now in a position to implement meaningful projects that directly impact citizens’ lives.
This, he maintained, is a clear sign that Tinubu’s economic reforms are reshaping the way resources flow across the country.
While defending the reforms, Yilwatda acknowledged the hardship being faced by ordinary Nigerians.
He admitted that higher fuel prices and inflation have made transportation, food, and daily living more expensive.
“Reforms are never easy at the beginning,” he said. “Yes, people are feeling the pressure, but these sacrifices are laying the foundation for a better economy.”
Observers have noted that many small businesses are struggling to adjust to rising costs, and households are tightening budgets. Yet, Yilwatda argued, these challenges are temporary and will ease as the benefits of reform spread across the economy.
Another achievement, according to the APC chairman, is the renewed confidence in Nigeria’s fiscal system.
He pointed to prompt salary payments as a stabilizing factor for households, while the unification of exchange rates is already improving investor trust.
By creating a more transparent and predictable environment, Tinubu’s economic reforms are making Nigeria more attractive to both local entrepreneurs and foreign investors.
Yilwatda believes this will stimulate business activity, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth.
Professor Yilwatda reiterated that the APC leadership stands firmly behind the president’s policies. He described the reforms as consistent with the party’s vision of fiscal discipline, accountability, and inclusive development.
He also stressed the need for clear communication with citizens, noting that many people misunderstand the purpose of the policies.
“It is our duty as a party to explain to Nigerians why these reforms are necessary and how they will benefit the country in the long run,” he said.
Looking forward, Yilwatda expressed optimism that the gains from the reforms will multiply with time.
He predicted that improved revenues will support more investment in infrastructure, health, education, and poverty reduction, thereby improving living standards nationwide.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient and resilient, reminding them that meaningful reforms often take years to bear full fruit.
“We are at the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s economic management. With sustained effort, the sacrifices of today will yield prosperity tomorrow,” he declared.
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda’s defense of Tinubu’s economic reforms reflects the APC’s belief that the administration’s policies are essential to Nigeria’s future.
By eliminating wasteful subsidies, restructuring taxes, and unifying exchange rates, the government has already strengthened fiscal stability across the three tiers of government.
While Nigerians continue to feel short-term hardship, the long-term outlook is promising: stronger revenue, better governance, and a more resilient economy.
For Yilwatda, these reforms are not just economic adjustments but transformative measures that will determine Nigeria’s path to sustainable growth.
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