.webp)
By Stella Odueme
The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has defended President Bola Tinubu's economic policies, saying his administration is addressing longstanding economic challenges while creating opportunities for investment, business growth and national prosperity.
The Forum said the ongoing reforms were designed to tackle structural weaknesses, settle inherited financial obligations and establish a foundation for sustainable economic development.
Reacting to the President's remarks at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna, TSF maintained that Nigeria's challenges, including poverty, poor infrastructure, inadequate electricity and limited economic opportunities, require deliberate and sustained policy interventions.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Ahmad Sajoh, and Secretary, Danjuma Sada, the group urged Nigerians to assess the administration based on its policies, implementation and measurable achievements rather than political criticisms.
It said the government's economic agenda was focused on addressing inherited liabilities while creating new opportunities for investment and enterprise.
The Forum identified major infrastructure projects, including the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, as examples of the administration's commitment to improving national connectivity.
It recalled that the Federal Ministry of Works reported in October 2026 that the 47-kilometre Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway had been completed, with construction progressing on the approximately 55-kilometre Section 2.
According to TSF, such investments would help reduce transportation and logistics costs, improve access to markets and strengthen agricultural and commercial activities.
On pension reforms, the group commended the Federal Government for reportedly settling ₦758 billion in inherited pension liabilities, an intervention which the National Pension Commission said benefited 957,045 Nigerians.
It also referenced the review of pension benefits for 2,116 retirees of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), resulting in an increase in their combined monthly payments from ₦12.56 million to ₦159.95 million.
The exercise, according to the Forum, also included the payment of ₦8.7 billion in outstanding pension arrears after 21 years without a review.
TSF said the interventions demonstrated efforts to address longstanding obligations to retired workers and restore confidence in pension administration.
On the power sector, the group highlighted the Federal Government's ₦3.3 trillion framework for settling verified legacy debts accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025.
It noted that the government had reported settling ₦333.12 billion in verified obligations owed to eight electricity generation companies operating 17 power plants as of July 2026.
The Forum said the initiative was expected to improve liquidity across the electricity value chain, strengthen generation companies and gas suppliers, and encourage fresh investment in the sector.
However, it stressed that the ultimate test of the programme would be improved electricity supply to Nigerians.
The group also cited the establishment of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), describing it as an important intervention to expand access to affordable and responsible consumer financing.
It said figures released by the corporation in October 2026 showed that ₦53.5 billion in consumer credit had been facilitated for more than 351,000 Nigerians through 37 participating financial institutions.
Women accounted for about 59 per cent of the beneficiaries, while the corporation had set targets of reaching more than 500,000 beneficiaries by the end of 2026 and two million in 2027.
TSF argued that expanding access to responsible consumer credit could support household asset acquisition, stimulate domestic manufacturing and boost economic activities.
The Forum maintained that the government's interventions should be viewed collectively as efforts to resolve inherited economic problems while creating the foundations for future development.
It, however, acknowledged that rising living costs and declining household purchasing power remained major concerns for Nigerians.
The group therefore called for effective implementation of the Federal Government's cost-of-living interventions and the National Economic Council's 90-day action plan.
It urged the authorities to ensure transparent reporting and measurable improvements in food affordability, transportation costs, employment opportunities and household incomes.
TSF also appealed to political stakeholders to focus public debates on practical alternatives for addressing Nigeria's economic challenges, including infrastructure financing, public debt management, social protection and sustainable poverty reduction.
It said the success of the administration's reform agenda should ultimately be measured by its impact on the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.
The Forum added that addressing the country's inherited economic weaknesses must go hand in hand with creating opportunities that would guarantee a more prosperous future.
I can also produce a shorter, more direct newspaper version with a stronger political angle.