President Tinubu: A President for Himself or for Nigerians?

On May 29, 2023, Nigerians gathered in hope. A new government, a new chance. Many expected a honeymoon period, but President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wasted no time. His first sentence as president—“fuel subsidy is gone”—landed like a thunderclap. It was not just an economic policy. It was a reality check.

For the average Nigerian, that single statement meant a tripling of transport fares the very next morning. For a mother in Kano selling akara, it meant her cooking gas bill doubling. For a student in Lagos, it meant choosing between paying for a bus ride to campus or skipping class. Overnight, “renewed hope” began to feel like renewed hardship.

The Weight of Reforms

Tinubu’s defenders argue that subsidy removal and naira unification were bold steps that previous governments avoided. In truth, both were overdue. Subsidies drained public finances, and a dual exchange rate was unsustainable. But Nigerians ask: must we bleed for reforms to work?

Instead of cushioning the blow, government rolled out late and inconsistent palliatives—bags of rice here, cash transfers there. Yet inflation continued to soar, eroding salaries and savings. By the end of 2023, millions had slipped below the poverty line.

Symbols vs. Survival

Beyond economics, Tinubu has pushed symbolic changes. The return of the old national anthem was one. While the government hailed it as a return to heritage, many citizens mocked it: “We cannot eat an anthem.”

At the same time, the president appointed the largest cabinet in Nigeria’s history, swelling the wage bill. How can a government preach sacrifice while expanding its own cost of governance? To ordinary Nigerians, it looks like the leaders are insulated from the pain they demand of the people.

The Two Nigerias

Walk through the streets of Abuja, Lagos, or Port Harcourt, and you’ll see two Nigerias.

• On one side, government officials boast of renewed investor confidence, higher customs revenues, and long-term growth prospects.
• On the other, Nigerians queue for hours to buy food at cheaper markets, struggle with epileptic electricity, and pray to make it home safe in the face of banditry and kidnappings.

This disconnect fuels a question every citizen now asks: Is the president governing for himself and his circle—or for us?

Will the Reforms Work?

Analytically, yes—they could. Subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and fiscal reforms have the potential to stabilize the economy in the long run. But Nigeria is not an economic model; it is a country of people. Reforms without social safety nets are like surgery without anesthesia.

Unless government invests in affordable housing, healthcare, education, and job creation, the benefits of reform may never trickle down.

What Tinubu Must Do

To truly govern for Nigerians, Tinubu must:

1. Cut government waste. Leadership by example is key. Nigerians cannot sacrifice while leaders live large.
2. Strengthen safety nets. From transport subsidies to SME grants, real relief must reach the masses.
3. Prioritize security. Without safety, no economic policy can succeed.
4. Invest in human capital. Education, healthcare, and jobs—not slogans—are the true foundations of renewed hope.
5. Communicate honestly. Nigerians can endure hardship if they see transparency, accountability, and timelines for progress.

Final Word

Tinubu may yet succeed. His reforms may, in time, lay a foundation for growth. But today, Nigerians are not asking for abstract projections. They are asking for food on their tables, safety in their streets, and dignity in their lives.

The real question is not whether Tinubu will be remembered as bold. The question is whether Nigerians will remember him as their president—or as a president for himself.