May 29: President Tinubu’s Score Card — Analyzing the State of Hardship and Hope in Nigeria

On May 29, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marked his second year in office with a national broadcast in Abuja. His address, promising that “the worst is over” and “the future is bright,” comes at a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with severe economic hardship, persistent security threats, and a fragile sense of national stability.

The Economic Landscape: Between Reform and Reality

Since assuming office, President Tinubu’s administration has enacted sweeping economic reforms — the most notable being the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange system. While these measures were intended to boost fiscal stability and attract investment, they have had painful short-term consequences.

Prices of basic goods — rice, bread, fuel — have soared, with inflation reaching nearly 30% earlier this year. Transport fares have more than doubled in many areas, squeezing already strained household budgets. Small businesses are also feeling the pinch, with high borrowing costs and a volatile naira.

President Tinubu acknowledged these hardships in his speech, stating:
“I am acutely aware that for many of our people, the economic situation remains challenging. Yet, I assure you that these challenges are temporary and the worst is over.”

Recent economic indicators show some signs of stabilization — inflation has eased slightly to 28%, and GDP growth picked up to 3.5% in the first quarter of 2025. However, for many ordinary Nigerians, the gap between these statistics and daily survival remains wide.

Security: Gains and Lingering Fears

Nigeria’s security challenges are as pressing as ever. Banditry and kidnappings continue in the North West, while attacks on farmers and clashes between herders and communities threaten food security in parts of the North Central. In the South East, separatist tensions fuel violence and economic disruptions.

Tinubu’s administration has ramped up military operations and intelligence efforts. In his speech, he emphasized his government’s commitment to securing every inch of Nigeria:
“We shall remain vigilant to end this plague of evil men. Every Nigerian deserves to live without fear.”

Despite these assurances, the situation remains fragile. Many communities still live under a cloud of insecurity, with limited faith in the government’s ability to provide lasting peace.

Infrastructure: Building Blocks of Hope

One of Tinubu’s talking points was infrastructure development — a major pillar of his “Renewed Hope Agenda.” He cited projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, and the recently completed Second Niger Bridge access road as signs of progress.

These projects, he argued, are laying the groundwork for long-term growth, creating jobs and improving connectivity. However, critics say their benefits are yet to reach ordinary Nigerians who struggle daily with bad roads, unreliable electricity, and limited access to quality healthcare.

Social Programs: Targeting the Most Vulnerable

To cushion the blow of economic reforms, Tinubu’s government has rolled out several social programs. Free dialysis treatment in selected hospitals, expansion of health insurance to 20 million people, and the launch of the student loan scheme are some of the measures he highlighted.

Yet, many argue these efforts are inadequate or poorly implemented, with significant gaps in coverage and impact. In communities across Nigeria, frustration is growing as safety nets appear too thin to absorb the economic shocks.

Public Sentiment: Hope or Hardship?

As President Tinubu proclaimed that “the worst is over,” reactions have been mixed. For many Nigerians, the daily reality of high prices, job scarcity, and insecurity feels unchanged. Critics question whether the optimism in Tinubu’s speech matches the suffering many endure.

Analysts, however, caution that Tinubu’s reforms — if sustained and supported by targeted social interventions — could indeed lay the foundation for long-term growth. The question remains whether this growth will be inclusive and whether the government can move beyond declarations to concrete relief for those most in need.

President Tinubu’s two-year score card reveals a country at a crossroads — caught between the pain of reforms and the promise of eventual stability. His speech projected a message of hope and resilience, but it also underscored the urgent need for policies that bridge the gap between economic recovery and human well-being.

As Nigeria looks ahead, the true test of Tinubu’s leadership will be whether this “Renewed Hope” agenda can deliver not just macroeconomic gains, but real change for the millions still waiting for relief.