Abia State Governor Alex Otti has publicly defended Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s controversial economic reforms, describing the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira as courageous decisions that were necessary to put Africa’s largest economy on a stronger path.
Speaking during the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Abia State on Tuesday, Governor Otti urged her to convey his appreciation to the President for implementing reforms that many leaders had avoided for years because of their political and economic consequences.
According to Otti, ending the long-standing fuel subsidy programme and allowing the naira to trade more freely required exceptional political courage despite the immediate rise in living costs experienced by millions of Nigerians.
He argued that the reforms have significantly increased revenues available to the federal, state and local governments, giving them greater capacity to finance infrastructure projects, pay workers’ salaries and invest in economic development.
The governor noted that funds previously spent on subsidising fuel consumption are now being redirected towards projects that could create long-term economic benefits. He said many state governments are now in a stronger financial position to execute development programmes and support productive sectors of the economy.
Otti acknowledged that the reforms have brought short-term hardship for many Nigerians but insisted that such pain is common whenever major structural economic changes are introduced. He maintained that the current economic difficulties should not be blamed solely on the reforms, arguing that they are largely the result of years of unsustainable economic policies and fiscal practices.
According to him, economic restructuring often comes with temporary challenges before long-term gains begin to emerge. He expressed confidence that Nigeria’s economy would gradually stabilise as the reforms take effect.
The governor’s remarks come as debates continue across Nigeria over the impact of President Tinubu’s economic policies. While critics point to rising inflation, increased transport costs and declining purchasing power, supporters argue that the reforms are essential to reducing government spending, improving public finances and attracting investment.
His endorsement is one of the strongest public expressions of support from a state governor for the administration’s economic agenda and is likely to add momentum to the ongoing national conversation over the future of Nigeria’s economy.
