TSF Defends Tinubu’s Economic Reforms, Highlights Infrastructure and Debt Settlement Gains
Oru Leonard
The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, saying the administration is taking steps to address inherited economic challenges while creating new opportunities for investment, infrastructure development and national prosperity.
The Forum made its position known in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Ahmad Sajoh, and Secretary, Danjuma Sada, while reacting to the President’s remarks at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna.
According to TSF, Nigeria’s persistent economic challenges, including poverty, infrastructure deficits, inadequate electricity supply and limited access to economic opportunities, require sustained policy interventions rather than political blame games.
It maintained that the Tinubu administration should be evaluated based on the policies introduced, commitments fulfilled and tangible results delivered to Nigerians.
The Forum identified infrastructure development, settlement of inherited financial obligations, pension reforms and expansion of consumer credit as key components of the administration’s efforts to reposition the economy.
On infrastructure, TSF pointed to major road projects, including the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, describing them as strategic investments capable of improving national connectivity and facilitating economic activities.
It recalled that the Federal Ministry of Works reported in October 2026 that the 47-kilometre Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway had been completed, while construction continued on the approximately 55-kilometre Section 2.
The Forum said the projects, alongside other major transport corridors, could reduce logistics expenses, improve access to markets, support agricultural development and stimulate commercial activities across the country.
On workers’ welfare, TSF highlighted the Federal Government’s reported payment of ₦758 billion in inherited pension liabilities, an intervention which the National Pension Commission said benefited 957,045 Nigerians.
It also referenced the review of pension benefits for 2,116 retirees of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, resulting in an increase in their combined monthly pension payments from ₦12.56 million to ₦159.95 million after 21 years without adjustment.
The exercise also reportedly involved the payment of ₦8.7 billion in outstanding pension arrears.
TSF described the development as a significant intervention towards addressing historical obligations to retired workers and restoring confidence in pension administration.
In the power sector, the Forum cited the ₦3.3 trillion settlement framework introduced by the Federal Government to address verified legacy debts accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025.
It disclosed that by July 2026, the government had reported settling ₦333.12 billion in verified obligations owed to eight electricity generation companies operating 17 power plants.
According to TSF, the initiative is expected to improve liquidity across the electricity value chain, strengthen the financial capacity of generation companies and gas suppliers, and encourage further investment in the sector.
However, it stressed that the ultimate success of the intervention must be reflected in improved electricity supply and more reliable power infrastructure.
The Forum also identified the establishment of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) as another important component of the administration’s economic reform initiatives.
Citing figures released by the corporation’s management in October 2026, TSF said the programme had facilitated ₦53.5 billion in consumer credit for more than 351,000 Nigerians through 37 participating financial institutions.
It added that women accounted for approximately 59 per cent of the beneficiaries, while CREDICORP had set targets of reaching more than 500,000 beneficiaries by the end of 2026 and two million in 2027.
The Forum noted that expanding access to responsible consumer financing could strengthen household purchasing capacity, encourage local manufacturing, support asset acquisition and stimulate economic activities.
TSF argued that the administration’s interventions should be understood within the broader context of addressing inherited economic weaknesses while creating opportunities for future development.
It stated that sustainable economic growth would remain difficult to achieve if governments continued to postpone the settlement of historical obligations while neglecting investments in critical infrastructure and institutions.
The Forum, however, acknowledged that rising living costs and declining household purchasing power remain major concerns for Nigerians.
It consequently urged the Federal Government to strengthen its cost-of-living interventions and ensure effective implementation of the National Economic Council’s 90-day action plan.
It called for greater attention to food affordability, transportation costs, employment generation and measures capable of improving household incomes.
The Forum further urged political stakeholders to move beyond partisan exchanges and engage in constructive discussions on infrastructure financing, public debt management, social protection and sustainable poverty reduction.
According to TSF, public assessment of government policies should be based on verifiable records, realistic alternatives and measurable outcomes.
It maintained that while settling inherited obligations and initiating major projects are important, the ultimate test of the administration’s economic agenda must be the extent to which ordinary Nigerians experience improvements in their living conditions.
The Forum concluded that addressing the economic shortcomings of the past while creating new opportunities for national prosperity must remain central to the country’s development agenda.
