President Tinubu declares "worst is over" for Nigeria's crises, claiming his first year stopped the "bleeding" despite skepticism over persistent economic woes.
In a boldly optimistic assessment, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declared Friday that the worst of the nation's economic and security woes are over, claiming his administration has "stopped the bleeding" after just one year in office.
Speaking to a delegation of Yoruba leaders at the State House, Tinubu confidently stated, "I can say categorically now that Nigeria is no longer bleeding. And it will not bleed to death, but rather will now move to prosperity."
The 71-year-old's assertive remarks were met with widespread skepticism from opposition figures, analysts, and citizens still grappling with severe fuel shortages, skyrocketing inflation, mounting insecurity and other lingering crises he inherited.
"How can the president claim the worst is over when millions can barely afford basic foods and lack reliable power or fuel?" asked Omoyele Sowore, publisher of the Sahara Reporters news site and Tinubu's 2023 election opponent. "This is a shocking detachment from reality."
Tinubu acknowledged his first year faced "challenging" obstacles but framed his actions as making critical progress. "We are managing to swim through the pond. The current is not a good one. We will turn the tide."
Among the president's stated policy steps are halting the printing of money to prop up revenues, pushing healthcare and education upgrades, and rehabilitating vital infrastructure. However, economic experts point to a still-contracting GDP and rising poverty levels as warning signs.
On the streets of Lagos, many echoed such skepticism about Tinubu's rosy proclamation. "The worst? When fuel and food inflation keep getting higher every day?" asked taxi driver Femi Oni. "I'll believe it when I can feed my family properly again."
The president urged governors to intensify development efforts and touted his administration's determination "to work so that all Nigerians can feel the impact of good governance." With over half his term remaining, Tinubu now faces intense pressure to make that rallying cry a reality across Africa's most populous nation.
