Nigeria: Presidency Replies Atiku's Critique of Tinubu's Economic, Fiscal Policies

What the report says

The Nigerian Presidency has pushed back against criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over President Bola Tinubu’s economic and fiscal policies. In a statement released on Sunday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said Atiku’s comments relied on outdated 2024 data and overlooked what the government described as stronger macroeconomic performance in 2025 and 2026. The reply was framed as a point-by-point defense of the administration’s reform program.

According to the presidency’s account, Nigeria’s economy has recovered in both dollar and naira terms after an exchange-rate reset, and the government argued that debt should be judged against revenue capacity and the size of the economy. It also said the debt-service burden has fallen and that borrowing has been directed toward productive spending rather than recurrent costs. The statement defended the removal of fuel subsidy, saying it has improved federal revenues and increased allocations to states and local governments.

The presidency further argued that the tax reforms are meant to widen the tax base while protecting lower-income earners and smaller firms. It also highlighted claimed gains in health, education and infrastructure, including primary healthcare upgrades, workforce retraining, student loan disbursements and ongoing transport, power and housing projects. The exchange matters because it reflects the broader political debate over how Tinubu’s reforms are affecting public finances, living costs and service delivery. For context, the claims in the presidency’s response are its own assertions and were not independently verified in the article.