Vice President Kashim Shettima hailed President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, stating that they saved Nigeria from an economic collapse.
Speaking at the Second Chronicle Roundtable in Abuja, Shettima emphasized the necessity of these reforms given the poor state of the country when Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
Shettima explained that the administration took decisive actions in areas such as the petrol subsidy regime and foreign exchange market intervention, opting for the harshest but most certain path to recovery. He affirmed that the Tinubu administration does not blame the previous regime for its decisions.
While acknowledging the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, Shettima implored them to be patient, assuring them that Tinubu is navigating the ship of state through economic turbulence. He expressed confidence that the measures taken by the government would yield positive results soon, leading to significant growth in Nigeria’s economy and improvements across key economic indicators.
The Vice President emphasized that the current government understands the reasons behind the steps taken by the previous administration and does not resort to placing blame. He stated that leadership requires courage, continuity, and far-reaching decisions, highlighting the necessity of removing the fuel subsidy to prevent the destruction of the nation.
Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s debt-service-to-revenue ratio, budget deficits, diversions of resources, and corruption associated with the subsidy regime as factors that necessitated immediate action. He refuted criticisms of Tinubu’s economic policies, asserting that Nigeria’s recovery cannot be achieved through a one-size-fits-all approach and that each country’s journey is unique.
Discussing regional leadership, Shettima stressed the importance of Nigeria getting its own affairs in order before leading Africa’s projected growth revolution. He called for unity and collaboration, emphasizing that the nation’s progress is in the interest of the entire continent.
During the event, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, former Finance Minister, acknowledged the detailed and carefully crafted policy document of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration. He advocated for periodic reviews and integration of the agenda into the country’s medium and long-term development framework.
The CEO of 2nd Chronicle Newspaper, Mahmud Jega, urged guests to critically analyze government policies and programs, stating that such analysis is vital for the nation’s collective development.
Notable attendees included the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris; Dr. Hakeem Ahmed, Special Adviser to the Vice President on Political Matters; Gbara Awanen, Chairman of 21st Century Chronicle; Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari; and prominent media leaders like Dr. Ishaq Kawu and Mr. Segun Adeniyi.
