Atiku Abubakar Critiques Tinubu's Economic Policies

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized President Bola Tinubu's economic policy direction, stating it has led to increased raw material exports while manufacturers struggle with unsold goods and consumers face rising costs. Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku noted that Nigeria's raw material exports surged by 106 percent, from N1.86 trillion in the first half of 2025 to N3.84 trillion in the first half of 2026, while unsold manufactured goods reached approximately N2.14 trillion.

He attributed this to weak value addition and high production costs linked to fuel, electricity, credit, transportation, and exchange rate pressures. Atiku proposed an Economic Recovery Plan focusing on enhancing production competitiveness through affordable long-term finance and support for businesses that add value locally.

He also suggested a production-linked fuel support for domestically refined petroleum products and a $10 billion financing program for young entrepreneurs and start-ups in various sectors, emphasizing the importance of processing and manufacturing for economic growth.