Vice-President Kashim Shettima has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the administration deserves commendation rather than condemnation for measures taken to reposition Nigeria’s economy.
Shettima made the remarks on Monday at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, where he said the reforms were beginning to yield positive results through increased investment inflows and stronger foreign reserves.
According to the vice-president, the Tinubu administration inherited major economic challenges but has made significant progress. Referring to Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s assessment of the economy, Shettima said, “Professor Soludo, you have done a lot of things for the federal government, especially in informing Nigerians where we were coming from, from reserves of $3 billion. When we were experiencing capital plight and scarcity, now we are experiencing capital inflows. Our foreign reserves have gone up to over $52 billion and counting in a turbulent world. Even the president deserves commendation and not condemnation.”
Shettima also praised Soludo for backing the Federal Government’s reform agenda, recalling that the former Central Bank governor took what he described as an unpopular stand during the 2023 presidential election by insisting that the election would be decided through grassroots support rather than “blackmail and intimidation.”
The vice-president further assured local and foreign investors that the Federal Government remains committed to improving the business environment. He said the administration would continue working with state governments to remove barriers to investment and enterprise across the country.
