Economy Would’ve Collapsed Without Tinubu’s Reforms — Shettima

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria’s economy would have collapsed without the far-reaching economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, urging Nigerians to recognise what he described as the benefits of the administration’s reforms.

Shettima made the remarks on Monday, October 19, at a forum titled “Together till 2027: An Evening with Original City Boy,” organised by the City Boy Movement alongside the Relax-Tinubu-Is-Fixing-Nigeria movement, groups supporting the President’s re-election bid.

According to the Vice-President, Tinubu’s decisions had helped reposition the economy, citing economic growth and an improvement in the country’s external reserves.

“The President took those far-reaching decisions. He had the courage of conviction and the knowledge to take those far-reaching decisions that repositioned the Nigerian economy,” Shettima said.

He referenced a reported real gross domestic product growth rate of 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026 and said the country’s foreign reserves had risen substantially.

Defending the administration against criticism, Shettima argued that the country would have faced a deeper economic crisis if the President had not implemented the reforms.

“If the President had not taken those far-reaching decisions, our economy would have collapsed,” he said.

The Vice-President acknowledged that Nigerians had endured difficult economic conditions but maintained that the situation could have been worse without the government’s interventions.

He also expressed confidence that the administration would introduce further measures to address agricultural challenges and reduce food prices in the coming weeks.

Shettima cited programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and investments in infrastructure as part of the government’s efforts to support citizens and strengthen the economy.

He urged young Nigerians to communicate the administration’s position on the reforms to the public.

The remarks come amid continued debate over the impact of Tinubu’s economic policies, including the removal of petrol subsidies and changes to the foreign-exchange system.

While the government has defended the measures as necessary for economic stability, Nigerians continue to face concerns over the cost of living, particularly food prices and household expenses.

The forum also forms part of political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.