Tinubu Advocates for Democracy at "Shadows" Book Launch

During the public presentation of "Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999-2023)" organized by THISDAY Newspapers, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acknowledged the critical role of journalism and literature in democracy. He commended the management of THISDAY, particularly Managing Director Eniola Bello, for their efforts in producing the two-volume work that captures the essence of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

Tinubu asserted that democracy thrives on the ability to accommodate disagreement and that a government must listen to its citizens to maintain their trust. He discussed the challenging economic landscape faced by Nigeria, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange system.

Despite the difficulties, he noted positive economic indicators, such as a GDP growth of 3.89% in the first quarter of 2026, oil production rebounding to about 1.5 million barrels per day, and a reduction in debt servicing from 96% to below 65% of revenue.