When Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office on May 29, 2023, he promised a new era of bold reforms and economic revitalization. Two years in, the results are mixed—and Nigerians are feeling the weight of both ambition and adversity.
💸 Economic Reforms: Shock Therapy or Strategic Misfire?
One of Tinubu’s first acts was the removal of fuel subsidies—a move hailed by economists but felt painfully by ordinary Nigerians. Fuel prices skyrocketed from ₦185/litre to over ₦617/litre within months, triggering inflation that peaked at 29.9% in early 2024.
- Naira Devaluation: The Central Bank’s shift to a floating exchange rate saw the naira plunge from ₦460/$1 to over ₦1,300/$1.
- GDP Growth: Nigeria’s GDP grew at a modest 2.8% in 2024, below the African average.
- Unemployment: Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high at over 40%, despite promises of job creation.
While Tinubu’s team argues these reforms are necessary for long-term stability, the short-term pain has been severe. The informal sector—where over 80% of Nigerians earn their living—has been hit hardest.
🏛️ Governance and Structural Bottlenecks
Critics argue that Tinubu’s government has failed to address Nigeria’s deeper structural issues. According to legal analyst Olisa Agbakoba, 90% of Nigeria’s governance architecture is dysfunctional, with local governments acting as mere conduits for federal allocations rather than engines of development.
- Centralization: Power remains heavily concentrated in Abuja, stifling innovation and regional autonomy.
- Bureaucracy: Red tape continues to choke private sector growth, with SMEs citing delays in registration, taxation, and access to credit.
📉 Social Programs and Public Sentiment
Despite launching initiatives like the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer, many Nigerians feel left behind. The program reached only 3 million households, far short of the 133 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty.
Public protests erupted in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt over rising costs and perceived government insensitivity. Tinubu’s response? A mix of defiance and recalibration—firing five ministers in a cabinet shake-up and pledging more inclusive policies.
🛠️ Infrastructure and Energy
On the brighter side, Tinubu has made strides in energy reform:
- Electricity Act 2023: Decentralized power generation, allowing states to license their own providers.
- Gas Infrastructure Projects: Renewed focus on gas pipelines and modular refineries.
Yet, power supply remains erratic, and over 60% of Nigerians still lack reliable electricity.
🧭 Final Thoughts: Reforming from the Top, or Repeating the Cycle?
President Tinubu’s administration is a study in contrasts—bold reforms paired with fragile execution. While some applaud his willingness to tackle entrenched problems, others argue that without structural political reform, economic policies will continue to yield suboptimal results.
The road ahead is steep. But if Tinubu can pivot from top-down governance to grassroots empowerment, he might yet reshape Nigeria’s trajectory.
🔐 Security Under Siege: Tinubu’s Struggle to Protect Nigerians
Despite bold campaign promises and increased military spending, President Tinubu’s administration has struggled to contain Nigeria’s deepening security crisis. From banditry in the North West to separatist tensions in the South East, violence remains widespread—and in some areas, it’s getting worse.
📊 The Numbers Tell a Grim Story
- Global Peace Index 2024: Nigeria ranked 147th out of 163 countries globally, and 38th out of 44 in Africa, reflecting persistent instability.
- Casualties and Abductions: In the first six weeks of Tinubu’s presidency alone, 555 Nigerians were killed and 267 abducted in violent attacks.
- Benue State Massacres: In April 2025, coordinated raids in Ukum and Logo LGAs left 69 people dead, with dozens more displaced.
- FCT Bandit Attacks: Even Abuja, the nation’s capital, has seen residents fleeing their homes due to rising kidnappings and bandit activity.
🧨 Unfulfilled Promises and Tactical Gaps
During the 2022 campaign, Vice President Kashim Shettima vowed to “lead troops to battle,” promising a hands-on approach to security. Yet nearly two years into their tenure, those pledges remain largely unfulfilled.
While the government touts the neutralization of 543 violent criminals, the arrest of 17,469 suspects, and the rescue of 9,821 hostages, these efforts have not translated into lasting peace. Many rural communities remain under siege, and displaced persons are slow to return home.
🗺️ Regional Flashpoints
- North East: Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to operate in pockets, despite military gains in Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad Basin.
- North West: Banditry remains rampant. In Zamfara and Kaduna alone, 11,250 hostages were rescued, but attacks persist.
- South East: Separatist violence and clashes with security forces have escalated, with frequent sit-at-home orders paralyzing economic activity.
- Niger Delta: Oil theft and sabotage have declined, but tensions over resource control and environmental degradation linger.
🧠 Strategic Missteps and Structural Weaknesses
Security experts argue that Tinubu’s approach has been overly centralized and reactive. The lack of coordination between federal and state governments, coupled with underfunded local policing, has left many communities vulnerable.
The introduction of the “Kaduna Model” for peacebuilding—where 35 warlords surrendered—is promising, but not yet replicated nationwide.
🧭 Conclusion: Reforming Security or Managing Decline?
President Tinubu’s security strategy has produced isolated successes but lacks the coherence and scale needed to reverse Nigeria’s descent into violence. Without deeper reforms—especially in local governance, intelligence sharing, and community engagement—the cycle of insecurity may continue to undermine national development.
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