Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Education and Youth Engagement, Dare Ojepe, has defended the administration’s economic reforms, arguing that the sacrifices endured by Nigerians are necessary steps toward building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
In an article titled “The Burden of Reform and the Reward of Perseverance,” Ojepe said President Tinubu inherited a country burdened by fiscal challenges, fuel subsidy costs, foreign exchange distortions, rising debt obligations, infrastructure deficits and security concerns when he assumed office in May 2023.
According to him, the administration chose the path of difficult reforms rather than maintaining policies that had long constrained economic growth and development.
Ojepe identified the removal of fuel subsidy as one of the most significant decisions taken by the government, noting that the move freed up resources for development and increased allocations to states and local governments.
He said higher Federation Account allocations have provided sub-national governments with greater capacity to fund infrastructure projects, improve healthcare and education services, and deliver development initiatives at the grassroots level.
The presidential aide also defended the administration’s foreign exchange reforms, saying they were aimed at improving transparency, restoring investor confidence and creating a more predictable economic environment capable of attracting investment and stimulating growth.
He highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, road rehabilitation programmes, rail modernisation efforts and investments in the energy sector, describing them as critical to national productivity and economic integration.
On education, Ojepe pointed to the student loan programme as a major intervention designed to expand access to higher education for young Nigerians.
According to him, over ₦206 billion has been disbursed to more than 1.16 million beneficiaries across about 270 tertiary institutions, helping students continue their education regardless of financial background.
He further stated that the administration is pursuing policies to strengthen agriculture, improve food security, support domestic production and expand economic opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs.
While acknowledging that security challenges remain, Ojepe said the government has continued to invest in security operations, intelligence gathering and law enforcement efforts aimed at improving safety across the country.
He argued that the administration’s most significant achievement is its willingness to implement difficult but necessary reforms that previous governments had often postponed.
According to him, abandoning ongoing reforms before they mature would undermine the progress already recorded, stressing that national transformation requires continuity, patience and sustained commitment.
Ojepe maintained that infrastructure projects, economic reforms and investments in education, agriculture, technology and security should be allowed to continue in order to deliver their full benefits to Nigerians.
He concluded that while the reform process has demanded sacrifices, long-term prosperity can only be achieved through perseverance and sustained implementation of policies aimed at addressing Nigeria’s structural challenges.
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