News
Tinubu: I came To Help, Not Hurt Nigerians, Economy
- Channels N200bn to Foods; Transport N100bn
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this evening, vows to improve the welfare and living conditions of Nigerians through his economic reforms, saying, “I plead with you to please have faith in our ability to deliver and in our concern for your well-being.
Tinubu, in his national broadcast on the current economic challenges, assures Nigerians that ” We will get out of this turbulence. And, due to the measures we have taken, Nigeria will be better equipped and able to take advantage of the future that awaits her.”
He further urges the led, to look beyond the present temporary economic pains and aim at the larger picture ahead , stressing : ” I came here to help not hurt the people and the nation that I love.”
He acknowledged that although Our economy is going through a tough patch and Nigerians are being hurt by it, ” AFTER DARKNESS COMES THE GLORIOUS DAWN.”
Consequently, in order to ensure that foods are available and affordable, Tinubu has ordered the release of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and FCT to moderate prices.
He said that the government is also providing 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs to farmers who are committed to our food security agenda.
Our plan to support cultivation of 500,000 hectares of farmland and all-year-round farming practice remains on course.
To be specific, N200 billion out of the N500 billion approved by the National Assembly will be disbursed as follows:
-Our administration will invest N50 billion each to cultivate 150,000 hectares of rice and maize.
-N50 billion each will also be earmarked to cultivate 100,000 hectares of wheat and cassava.
This expansive agricultural programme will be implemented targeting small-holder farmers and leveraging large-scale private sector players in the agric business with strong performance record.
Investing N100bn on CNG fuel buses
” We have made provision to invest N100 billion between now and March 2024 to acquire 3000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses.
These buses will be shared to major transportation companies in the states, using the intensity of travel per capital. Participating transport companies will be able to access credit under this facility at 9% per annum with 60 months repayment period.
His words: “The cost of fuel has gone up. Food and other prices have followed it. Households and businesses struggle. Things seem anxious and uncertain. I understand the hardship you face. I wish there were other ways. But there is not. If there were, I would have taken that route.
” Fellow Nigerians, I made a solemn pledge to work for you. How to improve your welfare and living condition is of paramount importance to me and it’s the only thing that keeps me up day and night.
“All of our good and helpful plans are in the works. More importantly, I know that they will work,” he said.
He explains that the decision by his government to have removed fuel subsidy and the preferential exchange rate system were taken to combat the serious economic challenges this nation has long faced.
” For several years, I have consistently maintained the position that the fuel subsidy had to go. This once beneficial measure had outlived its usefulness.
“The subsidy cost us trillions of Naira yearly.
Such a vast sum of money would have been better spent on public transportation, healthcare, schools, housing and even national security.
Instead, it was being funnelled into the deep pockets and lavish bank accounts of a select group of individuals.
This group had amassed so much wealth and power that they became a serious threat to the fairness of our economy and the integrity of our democratic governance.
To be blunt, Nigeria could never become the society it was intended to be as long as such small, powerful yet unelected groups hold enormous influence over our political economy and the institutions that govern it.
The whims of the few should never hold dominant sway over the hopes and aspirations of the many. If we are to be a democracy, the people and not the power of money must be sovereign.
The preceding administration saw this looming danger as well. Indeed, it made no provision in the 2023 Appropriations for subsidy after June this year. Removal of this once helpful device that had transformed into a millstone around the country’s neck had become inevitable.
Also, the multiple exchange rate system that had been established became nothing but a highway of currency speculation. It diverted money that should have been used to create jobs, build factories and businesses for millions of people.
Our national wealth was doled on favourable terms to a handful of people who have been made filthy rich simply by moving money from one hand to another. This too was extremely unfair.
It also compounded the threat that the illicit and mass accumulation of money posed to the future of our democratic system and its economy.”
I had promised to reform the economy for the long-term good by fighting the major imbalances that had plagued our economy. Ending the subsidy and the preferential exchange rate system were key to this fight. This fight is to define the fate and future of our nation. Much is in the balance.
Thus, the defects in our economy immensely profited a tiny elite, the elite of the elite you might call them.
As we moved to fight the flaws in the economy, the people who grow rich from them, predictably, will fight back through every means necessary.
News
Niger Speaker Lauds Army, DSS, and Security Agencies for Successfully Dislodging Bandits in the State
Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, has commended the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies for what he described as remarkable successes recorded against bandits in Mariga LGA and parts of the Niger North senatorial district of the state.
The Speaker described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity in the state, noting that the bravery, professionalism, and commitment demonstrated by the security personnel resulted in the death of several bandits, while others were successfully arrested by the security agencies.
The Speaker’s commendation was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Assembly’s acting head, Directorate of Media and Public Relations, Mairo Adamu Mani.
The Speaker “stated that this decisive action has greatly weakened the activities of criminal elements in the affected areas and restored confidence among residents who had lived in fear for a long time,” noted the statement.
“Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji further praised the tireless efforts of the security agencies, especially special forces and DSS operatives, for their continuous sacrifices in protecting lives and property across Niger State and Nigeria at large.
The statement quoted the Speaker as commending the joint clearance operations by the Army and the DSS, which he said was based on intelligence, and resulted in the rescue of over 70 kidnapped persons in the state.
“He acknowledged the risks involved in such operations and expressed deep appreciation to the officers and men who put their lives on the line to ensure peace, stability, and the safety of citizens, especially in vulnerable communities.
“The Speaker assured the security agencies of the unwavering support and cooperation of the Niger State Government, emphasizing that the state will continue to provide all necessary assistance to strengthen security operations,” further stated the Assembly spokesman.
Niger state government, remarked the statement, “remains fully committed to working closely with all security stakeholders to ensure that the lingering challenges of insecurity are completely addressed and brought to an end.
“The Speaker “also appealed to all Nigerlites to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, assuring them that the government considers the security of lives and property as its topmost priority.
“The Speaker encouraged residents to continue to support security agencies by providing credible and timely information that will aid ongoing and future operations aimed at sustaining peace and stability across the state,” the statement declared.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the posthumous conferment of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award on Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti as a landmark recognition of African musical excellence and cultural influence.
In a personally signed statement issued today, the President described the honour bestowed by the Recording Academy during the Special Merit Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles on January 31 as a historic first for an African artist.
“The world of music has honoured a giant: Fela Anikulapo-Kuti,” President Tinubu declared. “Fela was more than a musician. He was a fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and reshaped the global sound.
“The award, presented alongside other legends including Whitney Houston, Cher, Chaka Khan, Carlos Santana, and Paul Simon, marks the first time an African musician has received this prestigious Lifetime Achievement honour.
Fela’s family, including children Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa, and Femi Kuti, accepted the award on his behalf.President Tinubu emphasized Fela’s enduring legacy, noting that his courage, creativity, and conviction not only defined a generation but continue to inspire artists, activists, and audiences worldwide.
Invoking Yoruba cultural reverence, he added: “In Yoruba mythology, he has transcended to a higher plane as an Orisa. He is now eternal.
“The President highlighted Fela’s creation of Afrobeat a powerful fusion of African rhythms, jazz, funk, and highlife infused with sharp social and political commentary and its profound impact on contemporary music.
“He defined Afrobeat, and you can hear and see his influence in generations of Nigerian musicians, in the global rise of Afrobeats, and far beyond,” Tinubu stated.
He described the Grammy recognition as “an affirmation of his enduring global influence and the foundational role he has played in the evolution and impact of Africa on modern music.”
This latest honour builds on prior accolades, including the 2025 induction of Fela’s seminal 1976 album Zombie into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Nearly three decades after his death in 1997, Fela’s music and activism remain a symbol of resistance and cultural pride. President Tinubu’s tribute underscores national pride in the icon’s global validation.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja after concluding a successful state visit to Türkiye, where he held high-level talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and signed multiple bilateral agreements.
The President arrived in Abuja on Saturday evening, January 31, 2026, around 8:30–8:55 p.m. local time, following his departure from Türkiye.
Tinubu departed Abuja on Monday, January 26, 2026, for the state visit to Ankara, Türkiye’s capital.
The trip focused on strengthening Nigeria-Türkiye relations in areas including trade, defense, security, energy, education, media, and technical cooperation.
Key highlights included the signing of nine Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), aimed at boosting economic ties, defense collaboration (including potential training for Nigerian Special Forces), and a targeted increase in bilateral trade volume. Both leaders described the engagements as ushering in a “new era” of strategic partnership.
The visit drew public attention, including an incident during the official welcome ceremony in Ankara where President Tinubu briefly stumbled but continued without issue, with aides confirming he was in good health.
Upon his return, focus now shifts to implementing the signed agreements, including the activation of joint committees on trade and other sectors.
The Presidency has emphasized the visit’s role in advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic interests on the global stage.
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