Love him or hate him, Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not come to play. In less than a year, Nigeria’s self-declared “City Boy” president has done more shaking than a Lagos nightclub on a Friday night. Bola Ahmed Tinubu didn’t wait to get comfortable in Aso Rock. He pulled off more reforms in one year than some did in eight. And whether Nigerians are clapping or complaining, one thing is clear — this man came with an agenda. And he’s not backing down.
He came in hot. From Day 1, Tinubu shocked the system by removing fuel subsidies — a move many past presidents tiptoed around. Yes, it hurt pockets. But it saved Nigeria trillions. For the first time in decades, Nigeria stopped bleeding money into a black hole of corruption and ghost subsidies.…CONTINUE READING
Then came the FX unification. A bold, risky step — but it was the reset button the economy desperately needed. No more dual exchange rate scam. Investors started watching again. The global market took notice. Finally, transparency had entered the chat.
But Tinubu didn’t stop at economics. He’s restructuring the power sector, enabling states to generate their own electricity. Lagos, Rivers, and Kaduna are already moving fast. Nigerians might actually get steady power — not just campaign promises.
He created the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) — aiming to convert millions of buses and cars to cheaper, cleaner fuel. It’s not just environmental — it’s economic relief for transporters and commuters.
He came in hot, ripped off the subsidy band-aid, and forced the nation to wake up — painfully, yes, but with purpose.
Let’s break it down.
What Has Tinubu Actually Done?
1. Fuel Subsidy Removal – The Earthquake Move
On Day One, Tinubu scrapped the controversial fuel subsidy — a move every president feared, but he pulled it like a pin from a grenade. The backlash was instant, but so was the message: this administration isn’t here to babysit dysfunction. By removing the subsidy, Nigeria is projected to save ₦7 trillion annually, money that can now go into infrastructure, healthcare, and education — not oil cartel pockets.
2. Floating the Naira – Market Forces, Activate!
He took the bold step to let the naira float, ending the artificial control that kept the currency in a coma. Yes, it caused pain. But in the long run? Investors are returning, FX markets are healing, and real value is starting to emerge. This is economic chemotherapy — painful, but meant to kill the cancer.
3. Palliative Plans That Aren’t Just Vibes
Over ₦1 trillion has been earmarked to support vulnerable Nigerians: ₦8,000 monthly for 12 million households, subsidized transport using CNG buses, and food relief packages across the country. It’s not perfect, but it’s something tangible in a time of economic turbulence.
4. Security Strategy – Quiet But Focused
Under the radar, Tinubu has revamped the leadership of security agencies, empowered regional security, and deployed smarter strategies to tackle banditry and terrorism. Less press conferences, more field results.
5. Port Reforms & Customs Overhaul
For the first time in years, Nigeria’s ports are seeing reforms that cut corruption, clear bottlenecks, and speed up clearance processes. That means cheaper goods in the long run and a better trade reputation globally.
What’s Next on Tinubu’s Vision Board?
$10 Billion Foreign Investment Drive: Tinubu is courting global investors like a man on a mission — and major firms are listening. Microsoft, Siemens, and even Tesla are rumored to be eyeing Nigeria.
Renewable Energy Push: From solar farms in the North to wind energy in Lagos, the president’s green blueprint could finally diversify Nigeria’s energy sector.
CNG-Powered Public Transport: His administration plans to replace petrol-guzzling buses with cleaner, cheaper CNG-powered alternatives — a move that could drastically cut fuel costs for everyday Nigerians.
Smart Agriculture Projects: With Africa’s largest arable land, Tinubu is pumping investment into mechanized farming, irrigation, and export-driven agriculture to turn Nigeria from hungry to a breadbasket powerhouse.
Unified National ID for All: A digital ID system to fight fraud, improve access to welfare, and unlock a new era of e-governance.
The Big Question: Is This Suffering or Strategy?
Yes, Nigerians are struggling. The cost of living is brutal. But Tinubu’s camp argues this is the pain before progress, the reset button Nigeria’s been avoiding for decades. The structures are shaking — and that’s not always a bad thing.
You wanted change? This is what it looks like before it gets beautiful.
Is Tinubu the reformer Nigeria needed, or just another politician with a bigger playbook? One thing’s for sure — the next six months will either make or break his legacy.
And there’s more cooking:
$1 billion in student loan funding is rolling out to support millions of Nigerian students in tertiary institutions.
Renewed Hope Housing Projects are in development — thousands of affordable homes to reduce the housing gap.
He’s pumping billions into youth entrepreneurship and tech hubs, aiming to position Nigeria as Africa’s Silicon Valley.
The Social Investment Programme is being revamped for transparency and efficiency — no more cash for ghosts.
What’s next? Tinubu wants to:
Complete the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway — a project that could transform Nigeria’s economy and tourism.
Launch state policing to curb insecurity and decentralize security powers.
Establish Afro-modern industrial parks in every geopolitical zone to spark manufacturing and reduce import dependency.
Ensure 24/7 power supply through renewable energy grids and private partnerships.
Is it easy? No. Is it popular? Not always. But is it bold? Undoubtedly.
This isn’t politics-as-usual. It’s a presidency of hard resets, long-term vision, and painful but necessary surgery.
So before we write him off, maybe we should ask: What if Tinubu is playing the long game? What if the discomfort today is the price of the Nigeria we’ve always wanted?
