Tinubu Defends Economic Policies Against Atiku's Critique

The Presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a detailed statement titled “Facts, Not Fear: A Point-by-Point Response to Atiku Abubakar on Nigeria’s Reform Journey,” defending its economic policies against criticisms from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The statement argued that Atiku's assessment relied on outdated 2024 data, failing to reflect recent economic developments.

It noted that Nigeria's dollar-denominated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had increased from approximately $253 billion to $377 billion, with naira GDP rising from about ₦314 trillion to ₦530 trillion. The Presidency addressed allegations of fiscal recklessness, asserting that Nigeria's debt-to-GDP ratio remained around 40 percent and that the debt service-to-revenue ratio had improved from nearly 100 percent in December 2022 to less than 60 percent.

It defended the removal of fuel subsidies, claiming it enhanced revenue for states and local governments, and highlighted tax reforms aimed at reducing burdens on low-income earners. The statement also mentioned upgrades to over 3,000 primary healthcare centers and investments benefiting over 1.64 million students through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).