President Tinubu Is Making Wise Decisions For Nigeria’s Economy: Vice President Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima urged Nigerians to be patient, saying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was making wise decisions for the country.

The remarks came as the country was going through economic hardship following the removal of fuel subsidy, skyrocketing fuel and food prices. Speaking at the 2nd Chronicle Roundtable organized by 21st Century Media Services on Thursday in Abuja, Shettima assured Nigerians that the country's economy will experience significant growth after these sacrifices.

"Positive changes will soon be evident across all economic indicators – inflation, per capita income, GDP numbers, poverty reduction, food security, and all aspects close to the hearts of our people," he said, as per the official statement.

During the roundtable, the vice president participated as a guest speaker, where he explained some of the key policy decisions of Tinubu alongside its Economic and Social Agenda including the removal of subsidy. He noted that it was the "biggest elephant in the room" before the president took over the office on May 29 last year.

Shettima stressed that the new initiatives in various sectors including oil and gas, creative arts, the newly rejigged steel and solid minerals sectors, housing, the blue economy, and digital will positively impact Nigeria's economy.

"There is no doubt that there's a time to plant and a time to reap. In between those times, we appeal for patience and seek collective sacrifice from all, especially from us. We wish there were a way to treat this ailment without surgery," he said.

While the vice president stressed that removing the fuel subsidy was a tough decision as it impacted the common people, he highlighted that this was an inevitable option as the former president's administration did not have a provision for it in last year's budget.

He further explained that Tinubu "chose the option that would save the life of the nation, instead of one that would merely prolong its imminent and predicted economic death. Before we took charge, the biggest elephant in the room was the question of fuel subsidy removal."

Shettima noted that Former President Muhammadu Buhari did make the decision to remove the subsidy from fuel, but refused to include the same in the last budget. However, when Tinubu took over the office, Nigeria's debt service-to-revenue ratio had reached 111.8%, calling it an "economic death sentence."

Aside from Shettima, the meeting was also attended by Minister of Information Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Chairman of 21st Century Chronicle Gbara Awanen among other leaders.