₦airaland Forum

SocialJustice:
Tinubu is the master strategist. He knows what to do.

helinues:
What some Nigerians are not considering is, the government is just 2 years. The issues in Nigeria are decades old.

Subsidy removal, IMF debt clearance, those are just very easy to use as campaign slogan but it takes strong political will.

The backlash is what other last presidents avoided even though they knew it was the right thing to do but they don't have the political will. The same point raised by NOI about GEJ'S government. Such policies/ decisions always have their consequences.

At least for some months now, we have been reading about good news , development, reforms and policies which more are expected in the next 2 years.

When you compiled what this government has achieved in their first 2 years, we should be applauding them. Though I am not saying they are perfect but when it comes to governance and you compare the way governance is going in Nigeria with other countries, we are not having it bad

muyico:
Re you God?? Baba Tinubu done already won 2027 elect

hegelian:
Re you God?? Baba Tinubu done already lose 2027

hegelian:
Re you God?? Baba Tinubu done already lose 2027

RichmondAmadi:
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is now past its midpoint. As of July 2025, I can say it has been a storm — dividing opinion, stirring emotions, shifting Nigeria’s political and economic pulse. Some see progress. Others see decay. I see a mixture of both, but with one truth standing out above the noise — Nigeria is hurting.

Let me start with what worked.

The fuel subsidy removal was bold. Painful, yes. But long overdue. Floating the naira too. These moves were supposed to fix our broken fiscal foundation. The World Bank applauded the rising revenue, our deficit shrank, and the numbers finally started looking less tragic. Inflation showed signs of retreat and Fitch took notice. There was talk again about Nigeria being investable.

I can’t ignore the echoes of Tinubu’s Lagos days. Back then, he tripled the state’s monthly revenue. And I see that same ambition in his drive to boost internally generated funds nationwide.

In foreign policy, I give him credit. As ECOWAS chair, he gave Nigeria a louder voice. He pushed fuel into Niger when they were running dry. Got us a BRICS seat at the table. Our flag flew at G20 meetings. And he even got tagged by the AU for continental health. That kind of visibility matters. We haven’t had it in a long time.

Politically, he’s consolidating power like a master tactician. Governors from opposition parties are switching sides. PDP. Labour. Even Delta and Akwa Ibom made the jump. And with loyalists planted across key offices, Tinubu’s grip on the APC and the entire machinery of government is tight. That’s strength. But it’s also dangerous.

Now let me talk about the part that bites.

The removal of fuel subsidy in 2023 came with no safety net. No timing. No preparation. Prices exploded overnight. Food. Transport. Rent. Everything. Inflation went over 23 percent. People are struggling to breathe. Naira crashed and small businesses began folding. I watched friends shut down shops, lose jobs, go hungry.

And while Nigerians were gasping, government officials were out shopping. New jets. Lavish convoys. No clear record of where all that subsidy money went. The promises of redirecting funds to infrastructure? Still promises.

Our economy shrank. Under 200 billion dollars. Tinubu once dreamt of a trillion dollar future. Now, over 75 percent of rural folks live in poverty. Urban areas are sinking too. The projection says 13 million more people will go poor this year. That’s not a statistic. That’s our neighbors.

And the bloodshed? It’s everywhere. Gunmen have taken over highways. Terrorists still raid villages. Kidnappings in daylight. Since he came in, over ten thousand lives lost to violence. I’ve lost count. We rank sixth globally for terrorism. The so called security reforms? I don’t feel them. Most Nigerians don’t.

I worry about democracy too. The space for dissent is shrinking. People are afraid to speak. The 2023 election was a mess. Low turnout. Allegations of rigging. INEC didn’t inspire trust. Tinubu’s win came through, but not without a long shadow. Even now, challenges from Atiku and Obi linger in the public’s mind.

And then there’s Rivers State. Declaring a state of emergency there? Sidestepping El-Rufai? These are not moves of a confident leader. They feel authoritarian.

Education is another disaster. Kids are out of school. Teachers unpaid. Universities on strike again. Nigeria is now the malnutrition capital of Africa. How did we get here? What happened to taking care of our children?

The new minimum wage is ₦70,000. On paper, that looks good. But when bread costs four figures and electricity bills double overnight, it means nothing. People are still poor. Still broken.

So what do I think should happen between now and 2027?

First, the government must fix the pain it created. Give people a cushion. Direct cash support. Transparent disbursements. Show receipts. Help small businesses get back up with cheap loans and tax reliefs. Cut elite spending. Prioritize roads, schools, and health over vanity.

Next, overhaul security. Not on paper. On the ground. Build community policing structures. Fund intelligence. Equip officers. And for God’s sake, bring peace to the North East and North West. Solve the herder farmer crisis. Dialogue. Real dialogue.

On elections, restore faith. We need a neutral INEC chairman by November. Not a party loyalist. Change the Electoral Act. Fix the process. Make every vote count again. And teach our people — especially the young — that democracy only works when they show up.

Tinubu must speak. Not through aides. Not with silence. But with presence. Hold town halls. Explain reforms. Own the hardship. Make the people feel heard. Not ignored.

Looking beyond 2027, I see the need for real economic diversification. We can’t keep chasing oil. Invest in tech. Invest in agriculture. Build things. Export brains and services. Not just crude. Our youths are hungry to work. Give them jobs they can be proud of.

And yes, fix power. We can’t grow anything if the lights keep going out. Renewable energy is the future. Let’s move.

The federation itself needs reworking. The centre holds too much. Give states more power. Let regions breathe. Especially the South East. Enough with the Biafra silence. Engage them.

We must also fund education like our future depends on it. Because it does. Increase health spending too. Train workers. Tackle malnutrition. Let’s not lose another generation.

Democracy must be protected. Power should rotate fairly. Nigeria is diverse. Let it reflect in leadership. Women must be seen too. Not as ornaments. But as equals. Create space. Set quotas. Show the world we’re serious.

So what am I watching between now and the next election?

I’m watching if the opposition can get its act together. Atiku. Obi. Anyone. Because as it stands, they’re scattered. And Tinubu is gaining ground.

I’m watching inflation. If food remains unaffordable, streets will erupt. Voter anger will grow.

I’m watching INEC. That November appointment will be a signal. Neutral or loyalist? We will know.

I’m watching security. If attacks increase, so will doubt. If Tinubu can’t keep us safe, why should he stay?

I’m watching his health too. Rumors linger. If he falters, the power struggle will be ugly.

I’m watching the youths. The Obidient wave is still out there. Silent for now. But waiting.

And I’m watching the South East. If they continue to feel locked out, this country’s unity will stretch too thin.

At the end of the day, Tinubu has shown guts. But guts alone won’t save Nigeria. What we need now is compassion. Clarity. Competence. If he delivers that, he might rewrite his legacy. If he doesn’t, 2027 will be loud. And it won’t be in his favor.

This moment is still his to lose.

Let’s see what he does with it.


I'm Richmond Amadi making a common sense.