Presidency Defends Tinubu's Economic Reforms Against Atiku

The Presidency has dismissed criticisms from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, asserting that Atiku's analysis relies on outdated 2024 data and does not reflect the progress made by the administration in 2026. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated that Nigeria's economy has rebounded since the exchange rate adjustment, with dollar-denominated GDP increasing from approximately $253 billion to $377 billion, and naira GDP rising from about ₦314 trillion in 2024 to around ₦530 trillion.

Onanuga defended Nigeria's debt profile, claiming it remains sustainable with a debt-to-GDP ratio of about 40 percent, and noted improvements in revenue generation. He also supported the removal of the fuel subsidy as a necessary reform and highlighted achievements in healthcare and education, including the revitalization of over 3,000 primary healthcare centers and the execution of over 11,000 education projects.