Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has acknowledged that the removal of petrol subsidy and other economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government have made life difficult for Nigerians.
Gbajabiamila, however, defended the decisions taken by the Tinubu administration, arguing that the reforms were necessary to address longstanding economic problems and secure the country’s economic future.
He made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during the presentation of the administration’s 2027–2031 electoral roadmap, titled “From Reforms to Prosperity Agenda.”
According to him, the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market were difficult but necessary decisions aimed at correcting structural weaknesses in the Nigerian economy.
While admitting that the policies had increased the financial pressure on households, the presidential aide insisted that retaining the previous economic arrangements would have worsened the country’s challenges.
Gbajabiamila said Nigerians deserved an honest acknowledgement of the hardship they were experiencing rather than attempts by government officials to suggest that everything was going smoothly.
“Now, those decisions have placed real pressure on households. We must speak honestly about that experience because the people living through it deserve to be heard. And nobody should have to pretend that life is easy at the moment,” he said.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives explained that Tinubu could have avoided unpopular decisions to protect his political interests but instead chose to address what he described as deep-rooted economic distortions.
He argued that the President prioritised the country’s long-term interests over immediate political considerations, despite being aware that the reforms would have serious short-term consequences for Nigerians.
“If he came in as a politician and decided to govern as a politician, he would have continued on the cruise, on the path that we were taking.
“But instead, knowing full well the immediate consequences, he decided he would govern as a leader,” Gbajabiamila stated.
He stressed that the ultimate measure of the reforms would be their ability to improve living conditions, create employment opportunities and enable Nigerians to enjoy better economic prospects.
Describing the newly unveiled electoral roadmap as a reflection of Tinubu’s governing philosophy, Gbajabiamila said the administration was working towards building an economy where citizens could earn decent livelihoods through hard work and have equal opportunities to succeed.
He described a political manifesto as a social contract between elected leaders and the people, insisting that government policies must create an environment where citizens can benefit from their efforts.
“At the heart of this manifesto is my abiding conviction that every Nigerian should be able to share. Your country should give your best efforts a fair chance.
“A manifesto, in its strictest sense, is simply a contract between the people and the leader,” he said.
Gbajabiamila also highlighted the administration’s interventions in education, social welfare, taxation and electricity, describing them as important measures to expand economic opportunities.
He specifically mentioned the N-Power programme and the student loan scheme, saying the initiatives were designed to support young Nigerians, improve access to education and reduce financial difficulties.
On taxation, he said the government’s reforms were intended to establish a fairer tax system by reducing the burden on low-income earners and qualifying small businesses.
He further identified the Electricity Act, which allows state governments to establish and regulate electricity markets within their jurisdictions, as a major step towards attracting investment and improving electricity supply.
According to him, the administration wants to build a country where young Nigerians can pursue their ambitions and achieve success without depending on political connections or patronage.
The Chief of Staff also urged members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take responsibility for explaining the government’s policies and defending its performance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that the ruling party must be ready to account for its achievements and convince Nigerians through its record in office rather than relying solely on political promises.
“The party asking to continue in government must be prepared to answer the people whose mandate it seeks.
“We must earn support through the quality of work, through the quality of our case and the seriousness of our conduct,” he said.
Gbajabiamila added that the 2027 general election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to decide whether the Tinubu administration should continue with its economic reform programme or whether the country should embrace alternative approaches to governance.
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