President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for what he described as bold economic reforms and notable improvements in national security, saying Nigeria has been repositioned on the path of growth and stability.
Akpabio also reaffirmed the unwavering support of the National Assembly for the Tinubu administration, particularly in key areas such as state policing, infrastructure development, increased crude oil production and economic reforms.
The Senate President made the remarks after leading a delegation of Senate Principal Officers on a traditional Sallah homage to President Tinubu at his Lagos residence as part of the Eid al-Kabir celebration.
According to Akpabio, the visit was not only to celebrate with the President but also to offer prayers for his continued good health, wisdom and success in steering the nation’s affairs.
“We came to felicitate with the President and wish him a blessed Eid-el-Kabir celebration. We also prayed for his continued good health and wisdom, as well as peace and progress for Nigeria,” he said.
Akpabio commended Tinubu’s economic policies, especially the removal of fuel subsidies, the unification of exchange rates and the end of excessive government borrowing through Ways and Means financing, which he said had weakened the nation’s economy before the current administration assumed office in 2023.
“We appreciate Mr President for the reforms that have helped reposition Nigeria on the trajectory of growth. The economy we inherited was weighed down by unsustainable practices,” he stated.
The Senate President explained that Nigeria had previously struggled to maximise revenue from crude oil production due to forward crude sales and excessive fiscal spending without corresponding income.
“We met a situation where future crude sales denied the country adequate earnings from oil production. There was also continuous spending through Ways and Means — essentially printing money without matching revenue. President Tinubu has put an end to that,” Akpabio said.
He further praised the administration for ending the fuel scarcity and long queues that once characterised filling stations across the country.
“In the last three years, Nigerians have seen an end to the long fuel queues that used to plague the country,” he added.
Akpabio also described the administration’s tax harmonisation drive as one of the most significant fiscal reforms undertaken in recent history.
“The harmonisation of taxes, including some dating back to 1939, is highly commendable. I believe the President has done excellently well,” he noted.
Despite the progress recorded, the Senate President acknowledged that security challenges still persist, stressing that more work must be done to secure the country fully.
He, however, noted that insurgents no longer control territories or hoist flags anywhere in Nigeria, unlike in previous years.
“There is no part of Nigeria today where insurgents are hoisting flags. What we now see are attacks on soft targets such as schools, churches and mosques,” he said.
Akpabio commended security agencies for reducing organised bomb attacks across the country but admitted that Nigeria’s vast population and territorial size require sustained efforts.
The Senate President assured President Tinubu of continued legislative collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and legal framework.
“We will continue to stand by the President in all positive initiatives aimed at the future growth and stability of this country,” he declared.
On the issue of state policing, Akpabio revealed that the National Assembly was already considering frameworks that would enable states to participate more actively in internal security operations while maintaining national oversight.
“We are looking at creating a positive state police system with a national commission that will regulate conduct, promotion and training,” he explained.
He also disclosed plans to increase funding for policing through improved allocations to the Police Trust Fund.
“We are considering moving from 0.5 per cent to one per cent of federation revenue allocation into the Police Trust Fund to improve infrastructure and equipment,” he said.
Speaking on the economy, Akpabio stressed the need for increased crude oil production, particularly with the growing local demand from the Dangote Refinery and the commencement of crude sales in naira.
“Now that crude is being sold in naira and the Dangote Refinery is operating effectively, Nigeria must ramp up production to increase exports and boost foreign exchange earnings,” he stated.
He added that the country was also focused on attracting more foreign direct investments into critical sectors such as agriculture and infrastructure.
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