By Bassey Asuquo
The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms reflect an effort to confront longstanding structural challenges, settle inherited obligations and create new opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
Reacting to the President’s remarks at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna, the Forum said Nigeria’s longstanding problems of poverty, inadequate infrastructure, weak electricity supply and limited access to economic opportunities demand sustained policy interventions rather than political accusations alone.
In a statement by its Chairman Ahmad Sajoh and Secretary Danjuma Sada, the Forum argued that the present administration should be assessed on the reforms it has introduced and the deliverables.
According to TSF, the President’s approach combines two critical responsibilities of governance: correcting longstanding economic distortions and unresolved liabilities while opening new frontiers for investment, enterprise and national prosperity.
The Forum cited the administration’s investment in strategic infrastructure, including the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, alongside other major road corridors intended to improve connectivity across the country.
TSF noted that the Federal Ministry of Works reported in October 2026 that the 47-kilometre Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway had been completed, while substantial work continued on the approximately 55-kilometre Section 2.
The Forum said investments in transport infrastructure are essential to reducing logistics costs, improving market access, supporting agricultural production and expanding economic opportunities.
On pension administration, TSF highlighted the Federal Government’s reported settlement of ₦758 billion in inherited pension liabilities, which the National Pension Commission said formed part of interventions benefiting 957,045 Nigerians.
The Forum also welcomed the review of pensions for 2,116 retirees of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, whose combined monthly benefits increased from ₦12.56 million to ₦159.95 million after remaining unchanged for 21 years. The exercise also involved the payment of ₦8.7 billion in outstanding arrears.
TSF described the interventions as important steps towards addressing historical obligations to retired workers and improving confidence in public pension administration.
In the electricity sector, the Forum cited the administration’s ₦3.3 trillion settlement framework for verified legacy debts accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025.
It noted that the Federal Government had, by July 2026, reported the settlement of ₦333.12 billion in verified obligations owed to eight generation companies operating 17 power plants.
TSF said the phased settlement initiative is intended to restore liquidity to the electricity value chain, strengthen the financial position of generation companies and gas suppliers, and encourage investment in more reliable electricity infrastructure.
The Forum stressed that improved electricity supply must remain the ultimate measure of the programme’s success.
It further highlighted the establishment of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) as an initiative intended to expand access to responsible consumer financing.
“According to figures disclosed by the corporation’s management in October 2026, the scheme had facilitated ₦53.5 billion in consumer credit for more than 351,000 Nigerians through 37 participating financial institutions.
“We are aware that women accounted for approximately 59 per cent of beneficiaries, while the corporation announced targets of more than 500,000 beneficiaries by the end of 2026 and two million in 2027,” it noted.
The Forum said that improved access to consumer credit, when accompanied by responsible lending practices and effective consumer protection, could support household asset acquisition, encourage domestic manufacturing and stimulate economic activity.
TSF maintained that the importance of these interventions lies in their combined focus on longstanding obligations and emerging development opportunities.
“An economy cannot build a sustainable future while indefinitely postponing its historical obligations. Equally, settling yesterday’s liabilities must go hand in hand with creating the infrastructure, institutions and opportunities required for tomorrow’s prosperity.
“From the settlement of pension arrears and power-sector debts to strategic infrastructure development and the expansion of consumer credit, these interventions illustrate an approach that seeks to address inherited economic weaknesses while laying the groundwork for future growth,” the Forum stated.
TSF nevertheless acknowledged that high living costs and pressure on household incomes remain significant challenges for Nigerians.
It therefore welcomed the Federal Government’s cost-of-living interventions and the National Economic Council’s 90-day action plan, urging the authorities to prioritise implementation, transparent reporting and measurable improvements in food affordability, transportation costs, employment and household purchasing power.
The Forum called on political actors to engage in substantive debates on Nigeria’s economic future, including the financing of infrastructure, management of public liabilities, expansion of social protection and policies capable of delivering sustained poverty reduction.
“Political debate should be anchored on verifiable records, practical policy alternatives and measurable outcomes. Nigerians deserve an honest assessment of the challenges inherited by successive governments, the costs of addressing them and the progress being made.
“Ultimately, the success of any reform agenda will be determined not merely by the obligations settled or projects initiated, but by the extent to which these interventions improve the living standards of ordinary Nigerians.
“Correcting the mistakes of the past while opening new frontiers for the future must remain inseparable from the responsibility to deliver tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians,” TSF concluded.
End
