“The Truth Nigeria Must Hear: How President Bola Tinubu Is Rewiring the Economy for Real Prosperity”

By George Nder | 09015960442

Introduction: The Price of Change Is Temporary—But the Gain Is Eternal

For decades, Nigeria has lived under a political and economic illusion—an economy built on subsidies, rent-seeking, and patronage rather than productivity, innovation, and broad-based opportunity. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a man shaped by real governance and proven economic transformation in Lagos, has taken a bold leap—one many leaders feared to take.

His actions may seem painful now—fuel prices are up, inflation is biting, and sacrifices are being demanded of everyday citizens—but beneath that pain lies a reset. A realignment. A rebirth.

This article reveals the truth behind Tinubu’s reforms, what Nigerians have believed for years, what the real facts are, and how every citizen can key into this economic rebirth.

What Nigeria Believed (The Lie)

For decades, many Nigerians believed:

The government must subsidize fuel forever.

A strong Naira meant a rich country.

Borrowing and printing money solved poverty.

Growing civil service meant growing the economy.

Low fuel prices meant good governance.

These were politically convenient illusions, promoted by past governments and opposition leaders to maintain power, not to empower Nigerians.

The Truth Tinubu Unveiled

President Bola Tinubu came into power and did something no leader since 1999 had the courage to do: Tell Nigerians the truth. The real Nigeria was:

Spending over ₦4 trillion yearly on fuel subsidies, benefitting the elite and fueling smuggling, while starving roads, hospitals, and education.

Running multiple exchange rates, creating arbitrage that made billionaires out of a few connected individuals.

Over-borrowed and over-dependent on oil revenue, with little to show for it in agriculture, technology, or manufacturing.

Printing money to fund budgets, which led to inflation and a collapsing Naira.

What Tinubu Has Done: The Bold Economic Reforms

1. Fuel Subsidy Removal

Ended a 30-year economic burden.

Redirecting savings to infrastructure, education, security, and social investment.

Result: Short-term pain, long-term fiscal stability.

2. Unification of Exchange Rates

Ended a corrupt dual-rate FX system.

Naira is now driven by market realities.

Opened Nigeria for honest investment and closed arbitrage loopholes.

3. Revenue Mobilization and Tax Reforms

Empowered the Presidential Committee on Tax Reforms and Fiscal Policy.

Targeting to raise tax-to-GDP from 10% to 18%.

Blocking leakages in customs, ports, and revenue agencies.

4. Investor Confidence
5. and FDI Boost
   Introduced reforms that attracted $30 billion in investment pledges within the first 8 months.

World Bank, AfDB, IMF, and private investors have returned to Nigeria’s economy.

5. Student Loan Scheme

Launched to ensure every Nigerian child, regardless of background, can attend higher education and repay later from earnings.

6. Power Sector Liberalization

Empowered states to generate and distribute electricity.

Private capital now encouraged into a broken power system.

7. Digital Economy & Talent Export

Visa-free policies for tech investment.

Encouraging Nigerian tech startups and remote workers to thrive globally.

Nigeria: Then vs Now

Economic Indicator Before Tinubu Under Tinubu (2025)

Fuel Subsidy Spend ₦4+ trillion/year Zero
FX Regime Dual rates, opaque Unified, transparent
Naira Valuation Artificially strong Market-adjusted
FDI Flow Falling Rising with confidence
National Revenue (non-oil) 30% of total 45% and growing
Investor Confidence Index Low Improved

Lagos vs Opposition States: A Clear Difference

President Tinubu’s Lagos vs Coalition-led states:

Metric Lagos (Under Tinubu and successors) Coalition States (e.g., Abia, Benue, Zamfara)

GDP (2024) $150 billion+ Less than $10 billion combined
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) ₦651 billion/year Most under ₦30 billion/year
Job Creation 500,000+ direct & indirect yearly Mostly civil service dependent
Tech & Startup Growth Nigeria’s Silicon Valley Minimal to no presence

Lagos is the 5th largest economy in Africa, bigger than Kenya, thanks to a bold governance model pioneered by Tinubu.

Where Nigeria Is Going

Under Tinubu’s reforms, Nigeria is headed toward:

A diversified economy led by tech, agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

A tax-and-trade economy instead of a debt-and-subsidy economy.

An export-driven workforce: Nigerians working globally and sending back value.

A productive, investment-attracting, job-creating economy.

Why the Opposition Coalition Can’t Do This

Let’s be honest: The coalition of opposition leaders had decades of opportunity. Many of them governed states but left behind poverty, salary arrears, crumbling infrastructure, and insecurity.

Tinubu governed Lagos—and institutionalized revenue reform, law-backed planning, infrastructure expansion, and private-sector growth.

The difference is capacity vs rhetoric. Track record vs noise. Nation building vs seat hunting.

They want the number one seat, not to serve number one Nigeria.

How Nigerians Can Key into the Reforms

1. SMEs should formalize: Register your business, pay taxes, and become eligible for government and private financing.
2. Embrace digital skills: The global economy is hiring remote Nigerian talent—learn, earn, and grow.
3. Leverage agriculture value chains: Fertilizer access, mechanization support, and markets are opening up.
4. Invest in Nigeria: Land, services, tech—Nigeria is being rewired for productivity, not consumption.
5. Stay informed: Don’t let political propaganda blind you from economic truths.

Final Word: Leadership Is Not Talk—It’s Track Record

Nigeria needs builders, not blamers. It needs reformers, not performers. In Bola Tinubu, we finally have a president who is not afraid of the political cost of doing the right thing.

History will remember this presidency not just for removing subsidies, but for removing illusions. For giving Nigerians the truth, the tools, and the terrain to rise.

The future is bright. The noise will pass. The truth will stand.

About the Author
George Nder
is a Nigerian, and commentator on national economic reforms.
Contact: 09015960442