President Bola Tinubu hit the 3-year mark on May 29, 2026. Since 2023, his administration has pushed two big reforms: fuel subsidy removal + naira float. Economists call them “necessary.” Most Nigerians call them “expensive.”
By the Numbers vs On the Streets
Fuel: ₦238/L → ₦1,340+/L
Naira: ₦460/$ → ₦1,366+/$
Inflation Apr 2026: Headline 15.69% | Food 16.06%
Bright spots: GDP +3.89% Q1 2026, Foreign reserves $49.58B, Higher govt revenue post-subsidy
Everything from food to transport to rent has jumped. The reforms fixed government books, but household budgets took the hit.
What 3 Top Economists Say
Dr. Uche Uwaleke – 5/10*: “Bold but painful.” Right reforms, wrong timing + weak palliatives. Wants targeted cash transfers + food support.
Prof. Segun Ajibola – 6/10: “Can’t judge 3 years of damage control as failure.” Tinubu inherited a broken system. Urges patience + stronger safety nets.
Dr. Muda Yusuf, CPPE – 4/10: Admits FX stability + revenue wins. But: “Growth means nothing if families can’t eat.” Social cost is too high.
The Bottom Line
3 years in: Gov’t finances are stable. Investor confidence is up. Citizen purchasing power is down.
Gov’t line: “Short-term pain for long-term gain.”
Citizen question: “How long is short-term?”
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Made it tighter, more scannable, with bullets + bold names for mobile readers.