Tinubu Advised to Tackle Inflation, Power Issues to Cement Legacy – Economist, CSOs Commend Reforms

According to Paul Alaje, a prominent Nigerian financial analyst and Chief Economist at SPM Professionals, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the capacity to emerge as Nigeria’s greatest leader, but only if he can resolve the nation’s electrical problems and combat inflation head-on within the next two years.
In an interview on Channels Television’s morning show on Monday, Alaje made the claim.
After two years in power, Alaje evaluated President Tinubu’s performance and pointed out that although some of the administration’s programs have been successful, others have not been able to lessen the financial burden on Nigerians.

He stated, “After these two years, some things have worked and some have not.”

He cited inflation, which was 23.7% in April 2025, as a major obstacle and cautioned that if it is not controlled, Nigerians will view other initiatives as futile.

We should watch for ways to fully control inflation over the course of the next two years. For the people, that is the ultimate. No matter what is done, people won’t be affected if the inflation is not controlled, Alaje said.

The economist also underlined how critical it is that the Tinubu-led government address Nigeria’s ongoing electrical issue, especially with regard to industrial power requirements.

Second, President Tinubu ought to begin establishing the framework for power. I told him when he was elected president,” he continued.

Alaje said he gave former President Muhammadu Buhari similar counsel during the previous government.

“I told one of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s coworkers that a president can only succeed if he has a single agenda: fix electricity and connect it to manufacturers.” Buhari was in charge for eight years. I’m saying the same thing to President Bola Tinubu.

“Fix power and electricity if you want your name to be in the sound of time,” he stated. He will always be regarded as one of the greatest presidents in history. Make electricity available, particularly to manufacturers.
Prices for products and services are still high across the country, notwithstanding a minor monthly decrease in Nigeria’s inflation rate.

With over 13.2 million consumers in a population of over 200 million depending on a national infrastructure that can barely produce 5,000 megawatts of electricity, Nigeria now has one of the biggest electricity access deficits in the world.

On Monday, however, civil society organizations praised the federal government’s fiscal changes and economic agenda under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Under the auspices of the Independent Civil Society Groups in Nigeria, the coalition spoke to reporters and commended strategic investments in economic diversification, infrastructure, education, and health. They also cited Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, for his influence on Nigeria’s fiscal policy.

The coalition’s president, Dr. Emmanuel Agabi, told reporters that the Renewed Hope Agenda marked a “strategic turning point” in Nigeria’s progress toward long-term development and inclusive growth.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration began a revolutionary journey on May 29, 2023. The objectives of this all-encompassing policy framework are to boost governance, boost Nigeria’s economy, and raise the standard of living for its people, according to Dr. Agabi.

He went on to say that this development has been made possible in large part by the work of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning.

The coalition praised the 2025 appropriations package, known as the “Budget of Restoration,” for emphasizing judicious expenditure and capital investment.

“The 2025 budget, which is appropriately named the ‘Budget of Restoration,’ demonstrates a dedication to responsible financial management and strategic resource allocation,” he stated. The budget prioritizes capital investment, allocating ₦23.4 trillion (42.6 percent of overall expenditures) to infrastructure and economic development projects, with a total expenditure of ₦54.99 trillion.

Despite its initial inflationary impacts, the elimination of fuel subsidies and the unification of the naira were both recognized as audacious but essential measures to stabilize the economy.

The report stated that “these measures have improved fiscal transparency and reduced the fiscal deficit from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024, even though they initially contributed to inflationary pressures.”

Large-scale infrastructure initiatives like the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway were cited as examples of the government’s resolve.

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“The Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF) was established by the administration with the goal of raising ₦20 trillion to fund important projects throughout the nation,” he stated.

With ₦3.52 trillion set aside for education and ₦2.48 trillion for health in the 2025 budget, the coalition praised the increased budgetary allocations in these areas.

Social impact projects including the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Student Loans Act 2024, and the national expansion of primary healthcare facilities were also mentioned in the report.

Citing additional investments in mining, agriculture, and digital innovation, the coalition praised efforts to diversify the economy beyond oil.

“The 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Program aims to train three million Nigerians in high-demand tech skills by 2027, while the government has declared a state of emergency in agriculture,” Agabi said.

Equity-focused policies were opening doors for all Nigerians, Dr. Agabi continued.

“The inclusion of national student loan programs and state-level infrastructure funds also reflects a broader vision of equity and access, ensuring that the gains of reform are felt beyond major cities and by future generations,” he said.