President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the potential to become Nigeria’s greatest leader, according to Paul Alaje, a prominent Nigerian financial analyst and Chief Economist at SPM Professionals. However, this is contingent upon his ability to take serious action against inflation and resolve the nation’s electrical problems within the next two years.
Alaje said as much in an interview on Channels Television’s morning show on Monday.
While some of the administration’s initiatives have produced benefits, Alaje, who reviewed President Tinubu’s performance after two years in office, pointed out that other measures have not been able to lessen the financial burden on Nigerians.
A few things have worked and a few haven’t after these two years, he stated.
Inflation, which was 23.7% in April 2025, was cited by him as a major obstacle, and he cautioned that if it wasn’t controlled, Nigerians would see no point in other initiatives.
Over the following two years, we should watch for ways to fully control inflation. For the people, that is the end result. People won’t be affected by anything if the inflation is not controlled, Alaje said.
The economist also stressed how urgently Nigeria’s ongoing electrical issue, especially with regard to industrial power requirements, must be addressed by the Tinubu-led government.
Second, it is imperative that President Tinubu begin establishing the framework for energy. He said, “I told him when he became president.”
Alaje recalled that during the previous government, he gave former President Muhammadu Buhari similar counsel.
“During the eight years that former President Muhammadu Buhari was in office, I told one of his former colleagues that a president can only succeed if he has a single agenda: fix electricity and connect it to manufacturers.” President Bola Tinubu is hearing the same thing from me.
“If you want your name to be in the sound of time, fix electricity and power,” he stated. He is one of the greatest presidents in history, and we will always remember that. Power should be accessible, particularly for manufacturers.
Nigeria’s inflation rate has moderated somewhat month over month, although the cost of goods and services is still high across the country.
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Nigeria has one of the biggest electrical access shortages in the world right now, with over 13.2 million consumers out of a population of over 200 million depending on a national infrastructure that can barely produce 5,000 megawatts of electricity.
Civil society organizations, however, praised the federal government’s fiscal measures and economic direction on Monday under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The coalition, which is represented by the Independent Civil Society Groups in Nigeria, praised strategic investments in economic diversification, infrastructure, education, and health in an interview with journalists. They specifically mentioned Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, for his influence on Nigeria’s fiscal policy.
Speaking to reporters, coalition president Dr. Emmanuel Agabi called the Renewed Hope Agenda a “strategic turning point” in Nigeria’s path to long-term prosperity and inclusive progress.
The Renewed Hope Agenda marked the beginning of a revolutionary path for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which was inaugurated on May 29, 2023. “This all-encompassing policy framework seeks to improve governance, boost Nigeria’s economy, and raise the standard of living for its people,” Dr. Agabi said.
He went on to say that the Budget and Economic Planning Minister’s contribution has been essential to this development.
The 2025 appropriations plan, known as the “Budget of Restoration,” was praised by the coalition for its focus on sensible expenditure and capital investment.
According to him, the 2025 budget, which is appropriately named the “Budget of Restoration,” demonstrates a dedication to wise financial management and resource allocation. The budget, which has a total expenditure of ₦54.99 trillion, has a strong emphasis on capital investment by devoting ₦23.4 trillion (42.6%) to projects related to infrastructure and economic growth.
Naira unification and the elimination of gasoline subsidies were both seen as audacious but essential measures to stabilize the economy, even though they had an immediate inflationary impact.
The report stated that although these actions initially increased inflationary pressures, they have enhanced fiscal transparency and decreased the budget deficit from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024.
Government resolve was demonstrated by major infrastructure projects including the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
“The administration has established the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), with the goal of raising ₦20 trillion to fund important projects throughout the nation,” he stated.
The coalition praised higher budgetary allocations for health and education, noting that the 2025 budget included ₦2.48 trillion for health and ₦3.52 trillion for education.
The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Student Loans Act 2024, and the national development of primary healthcare facilities were among the social impact projects that were recognized in the report.
The coalition highlighted additional investments in mining, agriculture, and digital innovation as examples of initiatives to diversify the economy beyond oil.
“A state of emergency has been declared in agriculture by the government, and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Program intends to train three million Nigerians in high-demand tech skills by 2027,” Agabi said.
Dr. Agabi went on to say that policies that prioritize equity were giving all Nigerians access to opportunity.
“Incorporating state-level infrastructure funds and national student loan programs also reflects a broader vision of equity and access, ensuring that the gains of reform are felt beyond major cities and by future generations,” he said.
