Tinubu Steers Nigeria With Bold Reforms, Refuting Cabal Claims, Says Minister.
The Federal Government has firmly dismissed suggestions that President Bola Tinubu is under the influence of a cabal within his administration.
Speaking at the APC National Summit themed “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Journey So Far” in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, underscored the President’s independent leadership and commitment to Nigeria’s progress.
“Study the President closely. You can voice your opinions, and he will listen, but his decisions are his own,” Idris stated, addressing claims of external control. “It’s important for us to recognise that.”
Highlighting the administration’s transformative vision, Idris described the Renewed Hope Agenda as a “bold, people-first blueprint” designed to unlock Nigeria’s potential. He noted that upon assuming office, President Tinubu inherited a nation at a crossroads and took decisive action, including the removal of petrol and foreign exchange subsidies. These subsidies, he said, had long hindered progress, costing Nigeria billions in losses.
“True leadership involves making tough decisions in the short term that deliver lasting returns,” Idris remarked, pointing to tangible outcomes across infrastructure, social investment, and economic reforms.
Among the administration’s flagship projects are four major highways spanning over 2,600km: the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Calabar-Abuja Superhighway, and Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Highway.
These projects aim to connect communities and boost economic activity. Additionally, the Kano-Kaduna Standard Gauge Railway, a critical part of the Lagos-Kano modernisation plan, is being prioritised to enhance regional integration.
In housing, the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Projects are tackling Nigeria’s housing deficit while creating jobs and fostering urban renewal. The digital economy is also receiving a boost, with 90,000km of fibre optic cable deployed nationwide to bridge the digital divide and support smart governance, education, healthcare, and commerce.
Idris highlighted significant strides in education and consumer welfare, noting that 300,000 students are benefiting from the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and workers are accessing the new Consumer Credit Scheme for essential goods.
On security, the minister reported that the military has neutralised or arrested thousands of terrorists and bandits, rescuing nearly 10,000 hostages. The armed forces have been bolstered with 25 new aircraft and four naval vessels. The establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development and Regional Development Commissions across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones further demonstrates the administration’s holistic approach.
Idris concluded by affirming that the Renewed Hope Agenda is delivering measurable progress, with increased revenues fuelling ambitious infrastructure projects and social programmes. “This is about positively impacting the lives of Nigerians in a way that has never been seen before,” he said.
The summit also touched on related developments, including President Tinubu’s appointment of Aderogba as Managing Director of the regional maritime bank and speculations about political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections. However, the minister’s address focused squarely on the administration’s achievements and vision for a transformed Nigeria.
