Tinubu Chose Reform Over Political Comfort, Says Abbas at Third Anniversary

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas praised President Tinubu’s reforms as bold and stabilising, citing economic growth, rising reserves, increased investment and infrastructure gains, while urging continuity of the administration’s policies beyond 2027.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his third anniversary in office, praising his administration’s economic reforms as bold decisions aimed at long-term national stability and growth.

In a statement issued Friday, Abbas said Tinubu inherited a country facing deep structural and economic challenges but chose reform over politically convenient options.

“President Tinubu inherited a country on life support… but chose reform, reconstruction and long-term national stability over temporary political comfort,” Abbas said.

He said key economic indicators have improved under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including GDP growth rising from 2.74% in 2023 to 3.87% in 2025.

Abbas also claimed Nigeria’s external reserves rose from about $4 billion in 2023 to over $34 billion in net reserves by 2025, with gross reserves exceeding $50 billion.

He added that improved revenue from subsidy removal and exchange rate reforms increased federal allocations, with monthly disbursements crossing ₦2 trillion in some cases.

On investment, the Speaker said foreign inflows rose from $654.65 million in Q3 2023 to $5.64 billion in Q1 2025, reflecting improved investor confidence.

He also highlighted major infrastructure projects including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway, and rail modernisation efforts.

On security, Abbas said funding had increased significantly, with defence allocations rising from ₦2.98 trillion in 2023 to over ₦4.91 trillion in the 2026 budget, alongside intensified operations against insurgency and crime.

In education, he noted that over 1.3 million students had benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, with disbursements exceeding ₦242 billion.

Despite acknowledging ongoing economic and security challenges, Abbas said continuity was needed for the administration to complete its reforms and projects, urging support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.