President Bola Tinubu has promised Nigerians greater developmental strides if re-elected in the 2027 presidential election, declaring that the first two years of a possible second term would be devoted to “more work.”
The President made the remarks on Tuesday during an interview session at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, where he defended his administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market.
Tinubu described the reforms as painful but necessary measures aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s economy and securing long-term growth.
“It is difficult, it is painful, but it is just like the human reproduction process. A woman carries a pregnancy, enjoys the pain of labour, and has a very big smile when she sees a live child,” he said.
The President argued that fuel subsidy had become unsustainable and encouraged corruption, smuggling and fiscal leakages.
“It is a fake life to think you can, in a global economy, continue the subsidy that is wasteful,” he stated.
According to him, before the reforms, many states struggled to pay workers’ salaries despite Nigeria’s oil earnings.
“Of the 36 states, 27 of them were unable to pay the salaries of the workers,” he said.
Speaking on his plans if re-elected, Tinubu said his administration would continue pursuing difficult but necessary economic reforms.
“Do more work. More challenges are there. The world won’t wait for anybody. You have to continue to reset and rethink,” he said.
He added that decisive leadership requires making difficult decisions in the interest of citizens.
“The hallmark of a transformative leader is the ability to make decisions, do what needs to be done, at the time it has to be done, on behalf of the people,” the President said.
Tinubu also defended taxation as essential for national development, insisting that infrastructure and social services cannot be sustained without citizens contributing through taxes.
“Nobody wants to pay taxes ordinarily… but how do you care for the vulnerable? How do you protect the future of the children?” he asked.
The President said his government was already seeing positive results from the reforms, including greater economic stability and improved planning for businesses and households.
“Today, there is a very bright light at the end of the corner; the economy is stable, the Naira is stable, predictable,” he said.
Tinubu further disclosed that his administration was implementing direct cash transfers and educational support programmes for vulnerable Nigerians and indigent students.
He also reaffirmed support for indigenous industries, citing the Dangote Group and BUA Group as examples of businesses contributing to industrial growth and job creation.
According to him, the government approved the sale of crude oil in naira to the Dangote refinery to ease foreign exchange pressure and simplify transactions.
The President also defended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as a strategic infrastructure initiative designed to boost economic integration, tourism and investment across Nigeria’s coastline.
On national unity, Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace diversity and patriotism.
“This country is ours. We must build it together,” he said.
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