Otti Praises Tinubu's Economic Reforms, Says Nigerians Will Benefit Long-Term

Otti Praises Tinubu's Economic Reforms, Says Nigerians Will Benefit Long-Term

  • Politics
  • July 22, 2026
  • 1 Views
  • 0 Comments
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing what he described as bold economic reforms, saying the current economic hardship facing Nigerians is largely the result of years of poor policy decisions rather than the administration's actions.

Otti made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her visit to Abia State to celebrate the state's renowned Akwete weaving heritage.

The governor urged the First Lady to convey his appreciation to President Tinubu for what he described as courageous leadership in undertaking difficult but necessary reforms.

"I want you to please thank him. Thank him for his courage. Thank him for the sacrifices. Some people may not understand; it takes a man with courage to do what he did in 2023—remove petroleum subsidy and float the naira," Otti said.

According to the governor, the removal of the fuel subsidy and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market have significantly increased revenues available to the federal, state and local governments.

He noted that the additional resources have enabled many states to meet salary obligations, invest in infrastructure and implement programmes aimed at boosting productivity.

"What has that done? That has freed up a lot of funds that would have been used in financing consumption to doing other things in the federal government, in the states, and in the local governments," he said.
"And today, a lot of states are not owing salaries. A lot of states are able to build infrastructure. A lot of states are able to empower people to produce rather than consume."

Otti acknowledged that the reforms have imposed short-term economic challenges on Nigerians but argued that such consequences are inevitable when addressing long-standing structural problems.

He maintained that the hardship currently being experienced should be viewed as the outcome of previous policy failures rather than the reforms themselves.

"Every courageous decision has its consequences. If you remove subsidy and float the naira, it will take its toll, but over time the economy will begin to correct," the governor said.

He added that the reforms are expected to lay the foundation for sustainable economic recovery and long-term national development.