Tinubu’s economic reforms are beginning to show results, Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim says, citing reserves, inflation and investor confidence
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying they are beginning to yield results despite the financial hardship experienced by many Nigerians.
Also read:PDP Raises Alarm Over Political Violence in Ebonyi
Sulaiman-Ibrahim made the remarks in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during a press conference ahead of the unveiling of a book on Tinubu’s reform agenda, promoted by the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement.
She said Tinubu, who assumed office on May 29, 2023, inherited longstanding economic challenges that required difficult decisions, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the country’s revenue and public finance systems.
“Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, amid difficult economic circumstances that demanded decisive action to address structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s economy, revenue collection system and public finances,” the minister said.
“He inherited hard choices that could no longer wait. A petrol subsidy was draining the resources meant for our schools, our hospitals and our roads and our tax system weighed most heavily on the people it should have protected. He could have passed the problem to the next generation. He chose to confront it.”
The minister acknowledged that the reforms had imposed significant costs on households and businesses but maintained that the sacrifices would eventually produce benefits.
“The sacrifice is not in vain. The results are beginning to show.
There are improvements in external reserves, easing inflationary pressures and renewed investor confidence,” she said.
However, she cautioned that the benefits of the reforms would not be felt immediately, noting that implementation depended on funding, administrative adjustments and coordination among public institutions.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim identified the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, new tax laws and financial autonomy for local governments as measures intended to extend the benefits of government policies to ordinary Nigerians.
She said the tax laws were designed to protect low-income earners and small businesses, while local government autonomy could bring public resources closer to communities.
Addressing concerns about Nigeria’s rising borrowing, Sulaiman-Ibrahim argued that public debt should not automatically be viewed as evidence of economic failure.
She cited the United States as an example of a major economy with substantial debt, saying borrowing should be assessed according to the economic value of the projects it finances.
The minister nevertheless stressed the importance of responsible debt management, with attention to how borrowed funds are used and the benefits they deliver.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also acknowledged concerns over reports that Nigeria’s out-of-school population had increased from 14 million to 20 million.
She said the government was pursuing a coordinated approach that included science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, technical and vocational training, early childhood education and skills acquisition.
The minister said these initiatives were intended to address education challenges through cooperation across government institutions.
The press conference was organised ahead of the unveiling of a book highlighting the Tinubu administration’s policies and achievements over its first three years.
Tinubu is expected to attend the event as Special Guest of Honour. Businessman Aliko Dangote is listed as Chief Launcher, while BUA Group chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu is named Co-Chief Launcher.
High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, is listed as Chief Host.
Also read:PDP Raises Alarm Over Political Violence in Ebonyi
The minister’s remarks reflect the administration’s defence of its economic programme, while the extent to which the reforms have improved living conditions remains a central issue for households and businesses grappling with costs and financial pressures.
