Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, says no civilian administration in Nigeria since independence in 1960 has undertaken economic and social reforms as comprehensive as those introduced by President Bola Tinubu.
Gatekeepers News reports that Alake, who also serves as a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja at the unveiling of the party’s 2027–2031 policy manifesto, titled From Reforms to Prosperity.
He said the manifesto was designed to move Nigeria beyond economic stabilisation towards industrialisation, improved security, agricultural expansion and inclusive economic growth.
According to the minister, political parties have a responsibility to present clear policy programmes, aspirations and objectives to Nigerians.
“Every political party must articulate its programmes, its policies, its aspirations, its objectives, the reasons why it wants to be in government,” Alake said.
He described the APC as an organised political party, arguing that the Tinubu administration had introduced far-reaching reforms across different sectors of the economy.
“Since 1960, till 2023, no civilian administration of this country had embarked on the massive, comprehensive, purposive, structural reforms spanning all strata of society, across all sectors and touching every endeavour of the Nigerian society like the Tinubu administration,” he said.
Alake challenged critics of the administration to a public debate over his assertion, arguing that previous governments had often avoided difficult economic decisions because of their potential political consequences.
He maintained that Tinubu proceeded with his reform agenda despite the possibility of political backlash because he considered national economic recovery more important than his personal political ambitions.
“Regardless of the political consequences, or even the president’s own political situation and aspirations, he carried out genuine structural reforms,” the minister said.
He added: “And that is the kind of person Bola Ahmed Tinubu is. He does not think of himself; he thinks of the nation, and that is what a statesman should do.
“Ordinary politicians will think of the next election and avoid contentious policies that could probably mar their political aspirations. But not President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, because he puts the nation ahead of himself.”
The minister said the president had confronted longstanding economic challenges despite the immediate hardship and political pressure associated with the policies.
He specifically cited the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market as major measures aimed at addressing structural weaknesses in the economy.
According to Alake, the petrol subsidy regime created financial leakages through smuggling and other irregular practices, placing additional pressure on government finances.
He also criticised the former multiple exchange rate system, alleging that individuals with connections to government officials and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) authorities exploited access to foreign exchange at official rates for personal profit.
“Some people, as you all know, would sit in their gardens or backyards without lifting a finger, simply because they had connections with CBN authorities or top government officials,” he said.
“With just a phone call, they would obtain millions of dollars at the official rate and, without leaving their seats in their gardens, send the money to the bureau de change.
“In the twinkle of an eye, they would become billionaires while sitting in their backyards, making no contribution to production in the economy to shore up the naira.”
Alake further alleged that some beneficiaries of the former subsidy and foreign exchange arrangements were using media platforms to criticise the Tinubu administration.
He urged Nigerians to support continuity in the government’s economic reform programme, warning that abandoning the policies midway could jeopardise the gains already achieved.
