News Analysis by Rotimi Ijikanmi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, President Bola Tinubu’s administration is making a case for continuity, citing economic reforms, infrastructure development and social investment, among other achievements.
The administration’s case was presented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, during a media chat with senior editors at Radio House, Abuja.
Also present at the engagement was Mr Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who supported the minister’s presentation and offered further insights into the administration’s policies and achievements.
Idris said the administration’s economic reforms were producing measurable results, while acknowledging that persistent cost-of-living pressures remained a major concern for households.
Against this backdrop, the minister noted that the government’s priority was to translate improving economic indicators into more jobs, productive businesses, affordable essential services and greater purchasing power for Nigerians.
According to him, the economy was projected to grow by more than four per cent in 2026, while the current account surplus rose to 12 billion dollars in the first half of 2026, up from 8.6 billion dollars in the corresponding period of 2025.
Similarly, inflation, he said, declined from about 27 per cent in January 2025 to around 15 per cent, while external reserves exceeded 54 billion dollars in September, reaching their highest level in almost two decades.
The minister also cited improved foreign exchange stability, increased oil production, reduced oil theft and non-oil export earnings exceeding six billion dollars in 2025 as indicators of economic progress.
“We recognise that many households continue to face cost-of-living pressures.
“That is precisely why the President remains focused not only on stabilising the economy but also on making the benefits of recovery visible in the daily lives of our people.
“Our commitment is to ensure that stronger economic indicators translate into more jobs, more productive businesses, more affordable essential services and greater purchasing power for Nigerian families,” he said.
Turning to infrastructure, Idris said four legacy projects covered approximately 3,000 kilometres across the six geopolitical zones, alongside investments in roads, railways, ports, electricity, healthcare and education.
He also highlighted an approved highway project worth approximately N1.5 trillion in Niger State, which is expected to improve connectivity along an important agricultural and commercial corridor.
“Every road project is money flowing to contractors, suppliers, engineers, artisans, transporters and food vendors.
“Once finished, it opens up communities, gets produce to market faster and raises the value of land,” he said.
Beyond infrastructure, Idris said the administration was pursuing mechanisation, improved access to farm inputs, irrigation and financing in agriculture to increase domestic production, improve farmers’ incomes and reduce food costs.
In the health sector, the minister said the Federal Government had commissioned five cancer treatment centres and was working towards providing 10, alongside efforts to revitalise primary healthcare.
Similarly, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), he added, had supported more than 1.6 million students, paying over N192 billion in tuition fees and N180 billion in upkeep allowances.
In the area of digital skills, Idris added that, through the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, the government was expanding training in software development, data science, cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
Meanwhile, he said the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicle Initiative had attracted about 2.5 billion dollars in private investment, alongside approximately N250 billion in government funding and commitments.
According to him, more than 120,000 vehicles had been converted, while over 400 certified conversion centres and more than 90 refuelling stations had been established.
Idris also disclosed that approximately 180 additional refuelling stations were under development.
On pension and power-sector obligations, he said the government had issued a N758 billion bond to clear inherited pension arrears, benefiting almost one million pensioners.
It had also issued N1.2 trillion in bonds to settle debts owed to electricity generation and gas companies.
In addition, Idris disclosed that the National Social Register was supporting more than 10 million households, while the Consumer Credit Corporation was helping working Nigerians spread the cost of essential purchases.
On security, the minister said improved equipment, intelligence, logistics and coordination had strengthened security agencies, contributing to operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and criminal networks.
He cited rescued hostages, disrupted insurgent networks and operations against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism as evidence of progress.
Nevertheless, the minister acknowledged that security challenges persisted in parts of the country and said the government was addressing them.
“Let me assure Nigerians that the Federal Government will neither relent nor retreat in its determination to secure every part of our country.
“The security of Nigerians is not negotiable.
“We will continue to protect vulnerable communities and work towards a country in which every citizen can live, travel, farm, trade and work in safety,” he said.
Beyond security, the minister highlighted Tinubu’s commitment to fiscal federalism through increased transfers to state and local governments.
He cited the President’s efforts to strengthen local government autonomy, as well as proposals for state police and electricity reforms, as evidence of this commitment.
Furthermore, the minister referenced a World Bank report indicating that combined state capital expenditure increased by 151 per cent in real terms between 2023 and 2025.
According to him, these initiatives form part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which covers economic growth, security, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, social investment, industrialisation, innovation and governance.
In assessing the administration’s overall performance, Idris said the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration were yielding substantial progress, strengthening the economy, restoring confidence and laying the foundation for broader prosperity across the country.
“Nigeria is moving forward with renewed confidence.
“We have taken bold decisions to address longstanding structural weaknesses, restore stability and lay a stronger foundation for sustained growth.
“These decisions are producing measurable results, and we are increasingly seeing the transition from economic reform to economic opportunity.
“We are determined to consolidate these gains and accelerate their impact across the country,” he said.
Against this background, Idris urged journalists to continue scrutinising the government while providing context on the causes of current economic pressures, the progress achieved and the work that remained.
Speaking in the same vein, Onanuga emphasised the importance of responsible journalism and accountability across all tiers of government.
“Editors are gatekeepers and must exercise their responsibilities carefully. We should not publish material without checking its accuracy,” Onanuga said.
He warned that misleading headlines could create unnecessary public anxiety.
To illustrate his point, Onanuga cited reports that allegedly confused petrol prices with diesel prices and compressed natural gas queues with petrol queues.
He urged editors to correct misleading headlines and scrutinise government performance.
He also clarified that the fuel discount was an initiative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) intended to provide relief to Nigerians, adding that all levels of government should remain accountable to the people.
As the 2027 elections approach, the administration’s scorecard will, no doubt, feature prominently in public debate.
At the heart of this debate will be its ability to sustain reforms and deliver tangible improvements, which will be central to its case for continuity.
Supporters of the administration argue that re-electing Tinubu in 2027 would consolidate recorded achievements, sustain ongoing reforms and ensure that investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and agriculture deliver lasting benefits to Nigerians.
According to them, continuity would provide an opportunity to deepen reforms, address persistent challenges and accelerate progress towards economic prosperity, improved security and inclusive development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
However, economic indicators and announced projects must translate into lower living costs, better jobs, improved security and accessible public services for ordinary Nigerians.
Ultimately, voters will determine whether the administration’s achievements justify another term, weighing its progress against challenges and their expectations for a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
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