Nigeria: Tinubu Saved Nigeria From Economic Collapse, Says Shettima

What the report says

Vice President Kashim Shettima said President Bola Tinubu helped avert a deeper economic crisis in Nigeria by taking difficult reforms after taking office. Speaking in Lagos after visiting the president, Shettima argued that the administration inherited severe financial strain and defended steps such as ending the fuel subsidy and changing foreign exchange rules, while acknowledging that many households have felt the impact of higher costs.

The comments came alongside a federal transport plan for the North-east. Shettima said the government is preparing to launch an e-logistics programme in the coming weeks that would include 10,600 electric tricycles, 300 buses and electric taxis across the region. He said the initiative is meant to cut transport costs and ease economic pressure on residents. The report also noted that the North East Development Commission had previously been linked to plans for electric tricycle deployment.

Shettima said the administration is trying to cushion the effects of reform through other interventions, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which he described as support for students from lower-income families. He also said Tinubu remained active while away from Nigeria and that he had kept in regular contact with him. The remarks underline the government’s effort to defend its economic agenda while promising targeted relief and infrastructure support.