In a bold declaration, President Bola Tinubu asserted that Nigeria is financially stable and resilient, having met its revenue target for the year by August.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he emphasized that the nation’s economy is now less vulnerable to external pressures, including actions from global actors like U.S. President Donald Trump.
During a meeting with a delegation of former members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which included governors and lawmakers from across the country, President Tinubu expressed pride in Nigeria’s economic achievements. “Today, I can stand here before you to brag — Nigeria is not borrowing. We have met our revenue target for the year and we met it in August. Let Trump do his worst, we are stable,” he proclaimed confidently.
The President credited the country’s financial progress to improved performance in the non-oil sector. He reassured citizens that Nigeria is equipped to handle international economic developments, stating, “If non-oil revenue is going well, then we have no fear of whatever Trump is doing on the other side.”
Tinubu highlighted the significant reforms his administration has implemented, noting that when he assumed office, the exchange rate had soared to N1,900 to the U.S. dollar. Thanks to diligent fiscal policies, the exchange rate has stabilized around N1,450. “Nobody is trading pieces of paper for exchange rate anymore. You don’t have to know a CBN governor to get forex. All you have to do is export, import, and create jobs for the people,” he explained.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to “fixing the economy” and “bringing hope to the people,” underscoring agriculture’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s long-term food security strategy. He announced the launch of a comprehensive agricultural mechanization program that will be rolled out across all regions, complete with training centers and necessary infrastructure. “We are doing mechanization and training — that is our backbone: food sovereignty, food security. If we remove hunger, we have defeated poverty,” he stated.
Addressing the CPC delegation directly, Tinubu acknowledged their support and patience amidst delays in political appointments, including ambassadorial positions. He reassured them that these roles remain available but emphasized that his primary focus is on economic recovery. “I couldn’t appoint everybody at once. Thank you for your patience. I still have some slots for ambassadorial positions that many people are craving for. But it’s not easy stitching those names,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his longstanding ties with the CPC, Tinubu reminisced about their early merger discussions leading to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He humorously recalled disagreements over party symbols with the late President Muhammadu Buhari, highlighting the unity within the party despite differing opinions.
The President praised Buhari’s legacy of honesty, transparency, and justice, values that he aims to uphold during his administration. “Part of what we inherited from Buhari was his honesty, transparency, justice. That’s all. You won’t have anything less than that,” he asserted.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who led the CPC delegation, assured President Tinubu of their unwavering loyalty and grassroots support for his administration, particularly in anticipation of the 2027 elections. “From the calibre of people you see here, you will be convinced that the notion that CPC is broken or not with this administration is a lie,” he declared.
Senator Tanko Al-Makura, a former governor of Nasarawa State and leader of The Buhari Organisation, expressed gratitude for Tinubu’s dignified handling of Buhari’s passing and his commitment to shared values of discipline and responsible governance. “You and President Muhammadu Buhari shared more than a political alliance,” Al-Makura noted, pledging the full support of CPC loyalists nationwide.
As the meeting concluded, President Tinubu reassured attendees that the journey towards economic recovery has already begun, promising that “the joy at the end of this journey” will belong to all Nigerians. His administration’s focus on stability, food security, and economic reform sets a hopeful tone for the future amidst global uncertainties.
