By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has urged Nigerians to credit the administration’s economic reforms for averting the fiscal crisis former Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki predicted.
Onanuga made the appeal in a statement on X on Wednesday, 10 September, 2026.
He said the reforms were designed to prevent economic collapse, not to worsen hardship.
Obaseki had warned years ago that it would be “a miracle” for the Federal Government and states to pay salaries beyond June 2023 without printing money or removing fuel subsidy.
“President Tinubu did not introduce the economic measures to make Nigerians suffer, but to steer the country away from the dire outcome Obaseki predicted and place the economy on a more sustainable path,” Onanuga said.
He noted that Tinubu acted on assumption of office on May 29, 2023 by ending fuel subsidy and floating the naira.
The subsidy, he stated, was projected to cost N7 trillion in 2024, five times the capital expenditure budget.
Onanuga said the removal freed funds for states through FAAC and enabled higher spending on infrastructure, health, education, salaries and social programmes.
He cited World Bank, IMF, Moody’s and Fitch assessments noting improvements in public revenue and macroeconomic indicators.
The presidential aide acknowledged the reforms caused temporary hardship. He, however, said the President remained committed to mitigation measures.
“President Tinubu has done the most difficult work by stabilising the economy,” Onanuga said. “His next reform is about bringing prosperity to all Nigerians.”
He added that inflation would ease and business conditions would improve with sustained fiscal discipline, better food supply management and targeted interventions.
