Tinubu’s Achievements: Atiku, Peter Obi Don’t Want to Hear Good News of Nigeria’s Improved Foreign Reserves — Presidency

The Presidency has said that opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, are unwilling to acknowledge positive economic developments recorded under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the remark on Saturday while reacting to the latest increase in Nigeria’s foreign reserves.

In a post on his official X account, Onanuga disclosed that the country’s foreign reserves rose to $51.04 billion on June 18, 2026, describing it as the highest level recorded in 17 years.

According to him, the last time Nigeria’s reserves attained a comparable level was in January 2009 when they stood at $50.5 billion.

Onanuga said the development was evidence of the economic progress being made by the Tinubu administration despite criticisms from political opponents.

“Nigeria’s foreign reserves rose to $51.04 billion on June 18, the highest level in 17 years. In January 2009, the reserves stood at $50.5 billion,” he wrote.

The presidential aide argued that some opposition politicians have consistently refused to acknowledge achievements recorded by the current administration, insisting that they maintain the narrative that the government has made no meaningful progress since assuming office.

“This is the good news Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and other presidential candidates don’t want to hear,” Onanuga stated.

“As far as they are concerned, President Tinubu has done nothing since he came to office. Yet stubborn facts of the administration’s solid achievements keep hitting them in the face.”

The increase in Nigeria’s foreign reserves comes amid ongoing economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government, including efforts to stabilise the foreign exchange market, attract foreign investment and improve fiscal sustainability.

The administration has repeatedly cited improvements in key economic indicators as evidence that its policies are beginning to yield results, while opposition figures have continued to question the impact of the reforms on the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.

The latest exchange highlights the continuing political debate over the performance of the Tinubu administration and the state of the Nigerian economy.