— By Tanimu Yakubu
At a moment such as this, nations are tested—not only by the scale of their challenges, but by the clarity of their judgment.
We have listened carefully to voices of concern, criticism, and urgency. In a democracy, such voices are not only welcome—they are necessary. But beyond rhetoric and passion, we must return to a more enduring standard – the discipline of truth, the evidence of policy, and the direction of national progress.
Let us speak plainly – Nigeria today is not a nation abandoned, Nigeria is a nation in transition.
For decades, we operated an economic model that rewarded consumption over production, opacity over transparency, and short-term relief over long-term sustainability. That model has now reached its limits. What we are witnessing today is the deliberate and necessary correction of that trajectory.
We have moved decisively to eliminate distortions in our fiscal system. We have taken steps to restore credibility to our monetary framework. We are rebuilding the foundation for investment, productivity, and resilience. These actions are not incidental—they are rooted in the logic of reform and the science of political economy.
Every serious student of political economy understands a fundamental truth: nations do not grow by avoiding pain; they grow by correcting imbalance.
The removal of entrenched subsidies, the unification of exchange rates, and the tightening of fiscal discipline are not acts of convenience—they are acts of economic responsibility. They confront structural inefficiencies that have constrained Nigeria’s growth for decades.
Yes, these measures impose strain in the short term. Yes, households feel the pressure. But the alternative—continuing along a path of unsustainable subsidies, fiscal opacity, and market distortions—would have led not to relief, but to systemic collapse.
What we are experiencing is a classic adjustment phase—the period in which necessary corrections precede stabilization and, ultimately, growth.
On security, we mourn every life lost. Every Nigerian life is sacred. But we must also approach this challenge with realism and depth. The threats we face are multi-layered, long-evolving, and regionally interconnected. They require sustained institutional strengthening, enhanced coordination, and long-term strategic investment.
Progress in security is rarely instantaneous. It is incremental, cumulative, and dependent on the steady reinforcement of state capacity. That work is ongoing and must continue with discipline and resolve.
Nigeria remains a plural, competitive democracy. Opposition voices are heard. Assemblies convene. Criticism flows freely. These are not signs of democratic decline—they are evidence of democratic vitality.
Democracy is not measured by the intensity of accusation, but by the resilience of institutions and the credibility of outcomes. We must therefore guard against narratives that erode confidence in the very structures that sustain our republic.
Leadership demands more than critique. It demands coherence, courage, and consistency.
At this moment in our history, the central question is not who speaks most forcefully—but who governs most responsibly. Who is addressing structural distortions? Who is laying the foundation for sustainable growth? Who is making the difficult decisions others postponed?
We are not where we want to be—but we are not where we used to be.
The direction is clear: from uncertainty toward stability, from opacity toward transparency, from fragility toward resilience. This transition requires patience, but more importantly, it requires confidence—confidence in policy, confidence in institutions, and confidence in our collective capacity as a nation.
Nigeria is not calling for rescue from illusion:
Nigeria is calling for continuity of reform, strength of institutions, and unity of purpose.
If we remain steadfast—calm in judgment, firm in policy, and united in vision—history will record not a nation in crisis, but a nation that chose to correct itself and move forward.
— Yakubu is Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation
