A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ayodele Arise, has defended the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying they have had a more positive impact on Nigeria’s economy than those of previous administrations, despite sustained criticism from opposition figures.
Arise made the remarks at the weekend while speaking with journalists, amid growing attacks on the Tinubu administration by opposition party stalwarts.
The former senator, who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, said President Tinubu’s bold policy decisions were already yielding measurable gains in economic growth and social development.
“From my position, I can say that the decisions of Mr. President have benefited many Nigerians,” Arise said. “We can see positive movement in economic growth, supported by statistics that are available to the public.”
He cited a gradual reduction in inflation and increased funding for key institutions, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), as clear indicators of progress under the current administration.
According to him, the student loan scheme has expanded access to tertiary education, ensuring that financial limitations do not prevent qualified young Nigerians from pursuing higher education.
Arise also attributed improved stability in the university system to the Tinubu administration’s engagement with academic and non-academic unions, such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
He noted that frequent academic disruptions had significantly reduced, allowing students to complete their programmes within the stipulated time.
“Before now, students spent six or seven years on a four-year course, which contributed to brain drain,” he said. “Today, there is greater certainty that students can complete their studies on time, and that has helped to curb the trend.”
On grassroots governance, the APC chieftain said President Tinubu’s push for financial autonomy for local governments was designed to fast-track development at the community level.
He explained that granting councils direct access to their funds would improve service delivery in critical areas such as road construction, healthcare, and primary education.
“For the first time, local governments can meaningfully impact the lives of people at the grassroots,” Arise said, adding that the new arrangement would also strengthen accountability to local communities.
Arise further defended the removal of fuel subsidy, describing it as a tough but necessary decision that ended years of abuse and revenue leakages.
“Only a courageous leader could take that step and stand by it,” he said, alleging that the subsidy regime had largely benefited a small group of individuals through fraudulent practices.
He urged Nigerians to be patient, insisting that the long-term benefits of the reforms would outweigh the short-term challenges.
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