President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that the weight of Nigeria’s economic crisis during his early days in office nearly pushed him to withdraw from public commentary and media coverage altogether.
During a weekend visit to Katsina State, Tinubu shared candid reflections on the intense criticism and leadership challenges he faced after assuming office, admitting that he once considered cutting himself off from newspapers and broadcasts.
“It was tough at the beginning. I almost stopped reading newspapers or watching the news,” Tinubu said.
Read Also: Atiku blasts Tinubu over VDM’s arrest, calls detention a ‘blatant abuse of power’
“I felt discouraged, but I stood firm in my decisions, knowing that true leadership lies in making the right calls at the right time.”
Despite the initial backlash, Tinubu expressed confidence that the difficult economic reforms introduced by his administration are beginning to show results.
“Nigeria is on the path to success. The economy is improving—it has turned the corner,” he said.
However, a more cautious outlook was offered by African Development Bank President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who warned that Nigeria’s economic position has weakened considerably over the decades.
Speaking at the 20th anniversary dinner of Chapel Hill Denham in Lagos, Adesina highlighted the sharp decline in Nigeria’s GDP per capita since Independence in 1960, comparing the country’s missed opportunities to South Korea’s economic transformation over the same period.
“Nigeria has fallen behind due to inconsistent policies and weak implementation,” Adesina said, adding that more Nigerians live in poverty today than at Independence.
He called for urgent, decisive reforms to reposition Nigeria as Africa’s economic leader.
