5 takeaways from Tinubu’s first media engagement in which he conceded little or nothing
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
President Bola Tinubu came off his first media chat on Monday evening in Lagos, conceding little or nothing as he fielded questions from journalists, addressing critical issues agitating the minds of citizens – insecurity, governance, economic reforms, social welfare.
Below are five takeaways from the groundbreaking event, collated by the Nigerian Tribune:
1. Food stampede deaths
Tinubu expressed condolences to the families affected by stampedes that occurred within the past week in the distribution of food and cash to poor people by philanthropists. He stressed the importance of responsible giving.
“Condolences to those who lost a family member, but it is good to give. I have been giving out foodstuff and commodities in Bourdillon” [the area of Ikoyi, Lagos where his house is].
“If you know you don’t have enough to give, don’t attempt or publicise it.”
2. Tackling insecurity
He expressed optimism in the current security architecture, citing improvements in previously volatile regions.
“Today, I have confidence in my security architecture. It is very, very unfortunate that, for two decades, we witnessed wanton killings.
“I remember when I had to pause my campaign to pay condolence visits to Maiduguri, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kogi. Today, you can travel these roads, which were once impossible. It took one incident to disrupt an organised environment.”
3. Fuel subsidy removal, harmonization of forex
He defended his decision to remove fuel subsidy and harmonise foreign exchange (forex) rates, describing them as necessary steps for economic recovery.
“We were spending our future. We were spending our generation’s fortune. We were not investing; we were just deceiving ourselves,” he said, referring to fuel subsidy and funds spent to stabilise naira.
He explained that these measures are essential to redirect the country toward sustainable development despite the initial economic shocks.
4. Tax Reform Bills
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to implementing comprehensive tax reforms to align Nigeria’s economy with global standards.
“Tax reform is here to stay,” he declared. “We cannot continue to do what we were doing yesterday in today’s economy.
He underscored the importance of creating an efficient tax system that fosters economic growth while reducing dependence on oil revenue.
5. Expected impact of his reforms
Tinubu acknowledged the hardship caused by his policies but urged Nigerians to remain patient and hopeful.
“The reforms come with temporary hardships, but conviction about their long-term positive impacts is key in this journey. It is not going to be Eldorado for everybody. But the new dawn is here.
“I am convinced, and you should be convinced, and you should help propagate that conviction.”
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