President Bola Tinubu has said Northern Nigeria is the biggest beneficiary of his administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and other measures aimed at stabilising the economy.
Tinubu said the reforms, though difficult, were necessary to redirect government resources towards infrastructure, education, security, agriculture and other productive sectors.
The President’s position was presented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who represented him at a policy roundtable organised by the APC Professionals Forum in Abuja.
Tinubu said his administration inherited several economic challenges when it assumed office in May 2023, including fuel subsidy distortions, multiple exchange-rate systems, weak revenue mobilisation, foreign-exchange shortages, rising debt-service costs and years of inadequate investment in infrastructure.
According to him, Nigeria’s external reserves had increased to about $52.7 billion by August 2026, while consolidated non-oil revenue rose from approximately ₦13.63 trillion in 2023 to ₦16.4 trillion in the first two quarters of 2026.
He also said the country’s trade position had improved significantly, with the merchandise trade balance rising from a surplus of about ₦44.8 billion in 2023 to approximately ₦7.54 trillion in the first quarter of 2026.
Tinubu further cited real GDP growth of 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026 and a decline in inflation to about 15.4 per cent as evidence of progress under his administration.
The President said major infrastructure projects, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, road and rail corridors, and plans for an integrated maritime and logistics network, would create greater economic opportunities for the North.
He said the region would benefit from increased trade with neighbouring countries, including Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Sudan and the Central African Republic.
«“The North is the next business destination of Nigeria,” Tinubu said.»
He also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), technical and vocational training programmes and the CREDICORP credit initiative as measures designed to translate economic stability into improved living standards.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to decide ahead of the 2027 general elections whether to continue with the reforms or reverse them.
APC Defends Subsidy Removal
Chairman of the APC Professionals Forum Board of Trustees, Dr Isa Yuguda, defended the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the former subsidy regime was associated with financial leakages, fraudulent claims and inefficient use of public funds.
Yuguda, a former governor of Bauchi State, said more than ₦15 trillion had reportedly been saved through the removal of the subsidy.
He argued that the savings could be redirected towards education, healthcare, agriculture, security and infrastructure.
Yuguda also criticised proposals by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027, warning that returning to the previous system could undermine the government’s fiscal position.
ADC Insists on Subsidy Restoration
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), however, maintained that restoring fuel subsidy remains a non-negotiable part of its economic agenda.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the policy was intended to reduce the rising cost of living and could become one of the major issues in discussions among opposition parties seeking to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 election.
He acknowledged that differences over fuel subsidy could complicate efforts to unite opposition parties behind a common platform.
ACF Rejects Tinubu’s Claim
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) strongly disagreed with Tinubu’s claim that the North is the biggest beneficiary of his reforms.
The forum’s spokesman, Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, described the claim as difficult to reconcile with the economic and social realities facing millions of people across Northern Nigeria.
Baba pointed to insecurity, poverty, difficulties in agriculture, inadequate infrastructure and the large number of out-of-school children in the region.
He also criticised what he described as imbalances in federal appointments and the distribution of infrastructure and public resources.
According to him, the rising level of poverty and economic hardship in the North makes the President’s claim difficult to accept.
Middle Belt Forum Also Disagrees
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) also rejected the President’s assertion.
Its National President, Dr Bitrus Pogu, described the claim as “funny,” arguing that policies such as fuel subsidy removal and the introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) affect Nigerians across the country rather than benefiting one region exclusively.
Pogu questioned whether the reforms had significantly improved living conditions for ordinary Nigerians, including those in the North.
He maintained that the benefits and effects of the government’s economic policies should be assessed across the entire country.
Northern Christians Defend Tinubu
The Northern Christian Association, however, took a different position.
Its chairman, Rev. John Hayab, said Northern Nigeria had benefited from several projects undertaken by the Tinubu administration, although he acknowledged that insecurity, poverty and hunger remained serious challenges.
Hayab cited major road projects, including the Akwanga-Maiduguri and Jos-Jalingo corridors, as examples of federal investments in the region.
He also compared Tinubu’s performance favourably with that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, arguing that the current administration had made greater progress in some areas.
Hayab said Northerners should acknowledge the government’s achievements while continuing to demand improvements where necessary.
He added that projects such as a federal university and federal medical centre in Southern Kaduna were evidence that the region had benefited from the current administration.
The contrasting reactions have highlighted the growing debate over the impact of Tinubu’s economic reforms as political parties and opposition groups prepare for the 2027 elections.
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