Asiwaju Tinubu at 74
Emmanuel Oladesu Since the demise of the Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, no other Nigerian politician has come close to influencing the nation’s polity like Asiwaju
Emmanuel Oladesu
Since the demise of the Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, no other Nigerian politician has come close to influencing the nation’s polity like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Great Awo, as former military President Ibrahim Babangida once said, was the issue that the nation’s political affairs centred upon. Today, President Tinubu looms larger on the political horizon than any issue. He has become the morning sun that ushers in a bright day, the breeze that ventilates the sultry afternoon, and the moonlight that guides the steps to walk in the night. Whether you are in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or in the opposition, you cannot ignore him. He casts different images to different people, depending on the lens you bear to view him.
Whether he is in Aso Rock or Bourdillon Street or on a voyage for a national cause, the citizens’ lips broadcast his name or whisper it in sundry discussions.
At 74, President Tinubu is leading the country on a recovery path. The economic indices are becoming right, showing signs of stabilisation. The country is bouncing back. According to experts, hardship is giving way to better days.
Three years ago, the start of the journey was characterised by pain and anxiety. The economy was on crutches, and other critical sectors were ailing. The country needed a reformist, but when a bold, courageous and diligent leader was gifted to the nation, critics doubted the projected destination. However, for the generality of Nigerians being taken through the rescue operation, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
The administration has brought hope and relief, contrary to the prediction of a few but vociferous, subjective rivals glued to propaganda and falsehood. Asiwaju's antecedents, capacity, preparation for the job and credentials had generated excitement and anticipation of a new dawn.
What is worthy of celebration on his birthday is that the leader has not let down the electorate who made a wise decision of giving him the mandate. The fruits of bold reforms are effectively wiping away the temporary discomfort associated with collective sacrifice and patriotism.
However, Nigerians look for more. They deserve more because much confidence has been reposed in the leader. No doubt, the majority wants him to remain in power beyond next year. But by 2031, the long political journey should be more beautiful for Nigeria than its beginning. The people will fully appreciate a president who can decentralise and leave behind a legacy of authentic federalism. If this does not happen, public expectations would have paled into daydreaming, an illusion of hope.
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Most issues that were difficult and defied solutions in the past have been resolved by the administration. Long queues at filling stations have disappeared. Fuel supply is now regular, although the US,Israel/Iran war is temporarily affecting pricing. This should be explained to the public through improved, strategic communication.
In the ivory towers, strikes have become history, particularly in the universities where teachers often downed tools for the flimsiest excuse.
Three years after, it is evident that Nigerians chose wisely during the 2023 general election. The Tinubu administration has implemented reforms that have transformed the country in the areas of education, health, social welfare, security, infrastructural development, and intergovernmental relations.
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These concerted efforts reflect the depth, courage, patriotism and determination of the president to erect lasting legacies.
President Tinubu has fostered inclusion and participatory processes. He is accessible and conscious of public perception as the basis for legitimacy.
The indices are going right. Global institutions attest to the fact that the reforms, especially the removal of corruption-infested fuel subsidy, floating of the forex, blockage of loopholes in revenue generation, and the new taxation laws, have placed Nigeria on the path of sustainable progress.
The government now has more money for developmental projects. The foreign exchange liberalisation, increased government revenue, fiscal discipline, commitment to anti-money laundering frameworks and judicial integrity attract global attention and boost investor confidence.
Nigeria’s Foreign Reserves have increased, underscoring a sort of recovery and resilience.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria is becoming a “global reference point for effective reform implementation,” adding that the country is laying the foundation for long-term growth.
The deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector is being applauded by global economic institutions. For example, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) saluted the current administration’s “strong political will” and commitment to financial integrity, which led to the removal of Nigeria from the “grey list” of countries under increased monitoring in October 2025.
The CEO of Shell Plc, Wael Sawan, has hailed President Tinubu’s leadership and confidence building, which motivated the company’s plan to invest an additional $20 billion in Nigeria’s economy.
President Tinubu has defended education by focusing on improved access. More tertiary institutions have been established. Learning and infrastructural facilities in the pre-existing ones are being upgraded. Universities, polytechnics, and colleges now focus on the acquisition of technical skills.
Perhaps, a major achievement is the setting up of the Students' Loan Scheme (NELFUND). This has kept indigent students in school and prevented dropouts. Budgetary allocation has been on the increase, and recently, the Federal Government has approved the implementation of the 40 per cent allowance increase for university teachers. Lecturers’ strikes no longer happen.
The government has reviewed the focus and objective of education by reassessing the curriculum. There is an emphasis on entrepreneurship education and digital training, and the reinstatement of history as a subject.
Also, the scorecard in the health sector is commendable. In his review of the administration's activities, a House of Representatives member, Dr. Wale Hammed (Agege Constituency), a medical doctor, noted that 10 new cancer and diagnostic centres have been established, over 60,000 health workers trained, $1 billion secured for pharma-manufacturing, and primary healthcare boosted through a N68 billion vaccine investment; 10 state-of-the-art oncology and diagnostic facilities established nationwide, alongside a partnership with Siemens Healthineers to upgrade cancer care.
President Tinubu signed an Executive Order providing zero duty and VAT on imported pharmaceutical raw materials/equipment to boost local production. Also, a bulk purchasing organisation, MediPool, has come into place to reduce drug costs and improve supply chain efficiency. The sum of N68 billion was recently earmarked for vaccine procurement; N500 billion was settled in outstanding health liabilities, and $1 billion was secured to finance healthcare through Afreximbank.
The administration has administered 25 million measles vaccines, 22 million yellow fever vaccines, and rolled out the HPV vaccine to 14 million girls to prevent cervical cancer. The rollout of Africa’s first Mpox vaccine has also been successfully managed.
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According to experts, these reforms have contributed to a 55 per cent reduction in overall mortality in targeted or sampled local government areas.
The government has accorded priority to road infrastructure development by investing over N2.2 trillion in over 440 projects, including 260 completed palliative road projects. Notable are the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which people are already enjoying, and the Illela-Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
To boost connectivity, work has started on the Kano-Daura-Kongolam road, the Oyo-Ogbomoso road, the Maiduguri Ring Road, and the Itawure/Efon-Ado-Ekiti road. Work is ongoing on the 284-kilometre Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line and the Kaduna-Kano line.
Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is wearing a new look through the massive construction by the FCT authorities.
The President has focused on food security and modernisation. A state of emergency has been declared on food security. A National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), with N100 billion take-off, was launched. Also, a N50 billion seed fund was launched. The Federal Government has approved the importation of thousands of tractors annually, in partnership with John Deere to modernise farming under the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme.
Greater commitment was demonstrated by the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development and Food Security. A 150-day duty-free import window was declared for essential food commodities, including maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas, to combat food inflation.
It is gratifying that the President now intends to ensure that the state police is in operation as from this year. What may likely emerge is a multi-layer accountability structure that tends to prevent absolute control by the governors. Nigerians really fear that the governors are likely to abuse it. But with the state Ombudsman, the state police council, and the state police service commission in place, abuse can be checked.
The Tinubu administration is also planning to rebrand the police. There are suggestions that they should be renamed the Nigeria Police Service and State Police Service. This is in the spirit of reforms that also offer safeguards for autonomy. The Commissioners of police would not be solely appointed by governors, whose propensity for giving unlawful directives is curtailed. Under he new policing system, officers cannot but avoid carrying out unlawful directives to avoid sanctions.
It is in order to also insist on a residency clause as a criterion for recruitment. If only police officers who have lived in the environment of operation for 10 years are recruited, they will demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding of the area.
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Added to these, the Federal Government has granted full political, administrative and financial autonomy to local governments for grassroots development. The sub-national units now receive more funds from the Federation Account for development projects. There is a need for the President to work on the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF) so that many of them can allow the councils to fully breathe.
The Tinubu administration has fought insecurity with vigour through investment in men and materials for prosecuting the war. This is evident in the procurement of equipment, establishment of forest guards, massive recruitment of Army and police personnel, synergy among the Armed Forces and para-military agencies, and collaboration with neighbouring countries on security. The Armed Forces deserve kudos for their dedication, patriotism and commitment. The President deserves applause for his courage in handling the whole situation. The war has not been fully won. All hands must be on deck.
The Tinubu administration has taken a decisive step in strengthening the revenue-generating systems. The new tax law is a right step in the right direction. The vision is clear and the gains are invaluable.
Remarkably, the new tax structure is not an end in itself, but a means to finance public welfare, fund infrastructure, education, health care, security and guarantee social protection.
But more importantly, the tax reform is packaged to protect low-income earners, grant more exemptions and adorn a human face. Tm The goal is to bridge or close the gap between the rich and the poor, bring relief to the masses, the average worker, who would have increased disposable income through the exception. It is now clear th cent of micro and small businesses are out of the “tax-paying” bracket for major taxes (Companies Income Tax (CIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Withholding Tax, VAT, and Development Levy), there would be a reduction in gaps that would promote fairness and equity. By ensuring that higher-income individuals and profitable corporations pay more, the pressure on low-income earners is removed.
The general benefit is that with more money in the treasury, the government is in a vantage position to deploy more resources in the critical sectors, fight the huge infrastructure battle and cater for the welfare of Nigerians.
The world is watching. President Tinubu is receiving accolades for his administrative style from the international community. The image of Nigeria is improving.
However, the power sector has become an embarrassment. The minister is offering an apology instead of providing regular electricity. The President should pay more attention to the sector.
As the world celebrates President Tinubu tomorrow on his 74th birthday, many Nigerians will ask him to give them more dividends of democracy and offer an elixir for areas that still cause some economic throes.
