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By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has assured Nigerians that the difficult phase of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms is over, saying the country is now positioned for shared prosperity.
Bagudu gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja during the media presentation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential election manifesto, themed “From Reforms to Prosperity.”
He said the administration’s economic policies had strengthened private-sector confidence, attracted investments and established a foundation for inclusive economic growth.
The minister recalled the financial difficulties experienced by several state governments in 2015, when some struggled to pay workers’ salaries, noting that the situation had improved with increased federal allocations, sustained economic growth and growing investor confidence.
According to him, the next four years of Tinubu’s administration will focus on ensuring that the benefits of ongoing reforms translate into improved living conditions, particularly for ordinary Nigerians and vulnerable households.
Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, described the manifesto as a social contract between the APC and Nigerians, stressing that its promises must be measurable and subject to public accountability.
Gbajabiamila acknowledged the economic difficulties associated with fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms but said the government must ensure that the gains are reflected in the welfare of citizens.
He highlighted key government initiatives, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), tax reforms and the Electricity Act, as well as plans to reduce the number of out-of-school children by half by 2031, provide seven million additional electricity meters and expand health insurance coverage.
He said the manifesto contained specific targets that would enable Nigerians to assess the performance of the party and government.
In his remarks, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, said the ongoing economic reforms were opening new opportunities for economic diversification, particularly through the solid minerals sector.
Alake disclosed that revenue from the sector rose from ₦6 billion in 2023 to ₦38 billion in 2024 and ₦70 billion in 2025, adding that collections exceeded ₦101 billion in the first nine months of 2026.
He attributed the growth to reforms and renewed government attention, noting that the sector was increasingly contributing to national revenue, industrial development and employment generation.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also highlighted the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, security and social investment.
He cited improved security along the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and the expansion of NELFUND, which he said had reached approximately 1.6 million beneficiaries.
Idris further listed Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, improved economic ratings and positive developments in key macroeconomic indicators as evidence of progress under the administration.
He urged media organisations to provide balanced and responsible coverage of government policies by reporting verifiable achievements alongside existing challenges.
The minister stressed that accurate public information and understanding of government policies remained essential to national development.