President Bola Tinubu has defended his decision to remove fuel subsidy, declaring that Nigeria cannot return to the previous system.
The president said this on Monday while addressing supporters of his administration at a political gathering in Abuja ahead of the 2027 general election.
Tinubu made the remarks at the Presidential Villa during an event organised by the City Boy Movement in collaboration with the Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria Movement.
He insisted that despite the economic difficulties Nigerians have experienced since the removal, he had no regrets about the decision.
The president compared Nigeria’s economic reforms to the biblical account of Moses leaving Egypt, arguing that the country must continue moving forward rather than return to its previous economic arrangements.
He also urged young Nigerians to support his administration’s re-election campaign, describing their participation as an investment in their future.
“When Moses left Egypt, they faced a challenge, and the Red Sea parted and gave way. You cannot ask Moses to go back to Egypt,” Tinubu said, insisting that the country would not reverse course on its reforms.
He maintained that Nigeria was on the right economic trajectory, citing a report on China’s economic growth of approximately 4.6 per cent as he expressed confidence in the country’s prospects. He also argued that the government had inherited serious financial challenges, including difficulties meeting obligations and concerns over foreign reserves.
According to Tinubu, his administration had introduced reforms to address these problems, including changes to the tax system. He said the government had also prioritised efforts to end prolonged strikes in public universities, recalling his promise that students should be able to complete four-year degree programmes within four years.
The president acknowledged the support of the City Boy Movement, praising its organisational structure and nationwide presence. He said the group had established a network of members across states, local government areas, wards and polling units, alongside a call centre intended to engage young Nigerians and understand their community needs.
Tinubu also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), stating that more than one million students had received support through the initiative.
He urged young people to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and encourage others to participate in the electoral process.
Speaking at the same event, Vice President Kashim Shettima defended the administration’s economic policies, arguing that Nigeria’s economy could have collapsed without the decisions taken by Tinubu.
Shettima said the economy grew by 4.43 per cent in the last quarter and that foreign reserves were hovering around $60 billion. He acknowledged that Nigerians had endured difficult economic conditions but maintained that the situation could have been worse without the reforms.
The vice president also expressed confidence that the government would introduce measures to address agricultural challenges and bring down food prices in the coming weeks. He urged young Nigerians to communicate the administration’s policies and achievements to the public.
Meanwhile, Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Francis Shoga, declared that the group was prepared to mobilise young Nigerians in support of national development and the government’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Tinubu also commended his son, Seyi, the movement’s patron, for organising young supporters, urging him to continue serving and setting an example for others.
The president maintained that the country’s future belonged to younger generations, encouraging them to remain engaged in politics and help communicate the government’s plans ahead of the 2027 election.
