Tinubu’s Policies Tough Today, Rewarding Tomorrow – Bisi Akande

Elder statesman and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has expressed confidence that the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, though currently tough on Nigerians, will yield rewarding results in the near future.

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Akande, a former governor of Osun State and respected voice in Nigeria’s political landscape, made this assertion during an interaction with journalists in Ila-Orangun, Osun State, where he emphasized that the pains citizens are experiencing are part of a long-overdue reform process aimed at rebuilding the nation’s economic foundation.

According to him, President Tinubu’s bold reforms are similar to the corrective measures taken by visionary leaders around the world who chose to prioritize the long-term health of their nations over short-term populism. He noted that Nigeria’s economy had been sustained for years by artificial subsidies, reckless borrowing, and corruption, all of which had to be confronted head-on if the country was to move forward.

“Every great nation went through a period of sacrifice,” Akande said. “President Tinubu’s policies may be biting today, but in a few years, Nigerians will look back and appreciate the courage it took to make these decisions.”

A Tough Start for a Greater Tomorrow

Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu has embarked on a series of sweeping reforms aimed at stabilizing Nigeria’s economy. These include the removal of fuel subsidy, unification of the exchange rate, and comprehensive tax and fiscal restructuring. The reforms, while praised by international financial institutions, have triggered inflation, rising food prices, and hardship among ordinary Nigerians.

Chief Akande, however, described these difficulties as a “necessary passage” toward economic liberation. He explained that the fuel subsidy regime had become a “drainpipe of corruption” and that its removal was a step toward freeing Nigeria from fiscal dependency and financial manipulation.

“No nation develops when it spends more on consumption than on production. The subsidy regime made a few people rich while keeping millions in poverty. Now, we are correcting that imbalance,” he stated.

The former APC National Chairman argued that the current administration’s policies are designed to encourage local production, attract foreign investment, and ensure that Nigeria becomes self-reliant in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Hope in Reforms and Infrastructure

Akande further highlighted the Tinubu administration’s focus on infrastructure and job creation through initiatives like the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, and investments in power and transportation.

He noted that these projects, though not immediately visible to everyone, will form the backbone of an economy that can support sustainable growth and job creation.

“We are building a new Nigeria, not decorating the old one,” Akande remarked. “When the foundation of a house is weak, you don’t repaint it — you rebuild it. That is exactly what President Tinubu is doing.”

He also applauded the administration’s efforts to improve tax collection and block revenue leakages through digital reforms, stressing that the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability will restore public trust in governance.

Comparing Tinubu’s Vision to Past Reforms

Chief Akande likened President Tinubu’s reform agenda to the early economic reforms of leaders like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore and Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia, who endured criticism in their early years but later transformed their nations into global models of development.

He added that Tinubu’s track record as governor of Lagos State — where he turned a once struggling state into Nigeria’s economic powerhouse — is evidence of his capability to replicate similar results nationwide.

“When Tinubu became governor in 1999, Lagos was almost bankrupt. But through reforms and sound management, he grew the state’s revenue base and made it the envy of others. The same pattern is what we are seeing at the federal level today,” Akande asserted.

Citizens’ Patience and Collective Responsibility

Akande appealed to Nigerians to be patient and resilient as the government continues to lay the groundwork for economic recovery. He acknowledged that the transition period is painful, but urged citizens to look beyond temporary hardship and see the broader picture of national renewal.

“The responsibility of nation-building is not for the president alone,” he said. “We must all play our part — from farmers to teachers, traders, and industrialists. If we endure today, we shall reap the benefits tomorrow.”

He encouraged state governments to align their development agendas with the federal reform vision, emphasizing collaboration rather than criticism. He also called on opposition parties to offer constructive engagement instead of politicizing the nation’s challenges.

A Message of Renewed Hope

Chief Akande concluded by expressing optimism that, under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria will overcome its current trials and emerge stronger. He described the president as a “leader born for difficult times” and urged Nigerians not to lose faith in his vision.

“Tinubu is not afraid of making difficult choices because he believes in the future of this country,” Akande said. “Let us all stand with him. The pains of today will give birth to the prosperity of tomorrow.”

As Nigerians continue to navigate the effects of reform policies, Akande’s message serves as both a reassurance and a reminder that the road to national progress is often paved with sacrifice — a lesson he believes the Tinubu administration is teaching through its determination to build a more stable and self-reliant Nigeria.

— By Newsword Media, October 2025