President Bola Tinubu has spoken for the first time on the recent surge in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, defending the controversial increase as part of his administration’s wider economic reform strategy.
Speaking to Nigerians residing in China on Friday, Tinubu emphasized the necessity of taking “bold and unprecedented decisions” to place Nigeria on a path to sustainable economic growth.
Addressing the reforms, including the recent fuel price hike, Tinubu’s comments were conveyed by his presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale. “Nigeria is going through reforms, and we are taking very bold and unprecedented decisions.
For example, you might have been hearing from home in the last few days about fuel prices,” the president said.
The hike, which saw the pump price of petrol soar to N855 per liter, has stirred widespread criticism across Nigeria.
Many groups and individuals have called on the Federal Government to reverse the decision, citing the burden it places on the average citizen. However, President Tinubu stood firm, arguing that such hard decisions are critical to achieving long-term economic stability and infrastructural development.
“The more you want everything free, it will become more expensive and long-delayed to achieve meaningful development,” Tinubu explained, defending the reforms as essential for creating conditions conducive to future prosperity.
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Drawing comparisons with China, where he was visiting, Tinubu pointed to the country’s well-developed infrastructure, reliable utilities, and educational systems, noting that Nigeria must take difficult steps to replicate such advancements.
“Can we develop good roads like you have here? You see electricity being constant in quantity and quality. You see water supply, constant and running, and you see their good schools,” he said, urging Nigerians to support the government’s efforts.
While acknowledging the challenges in forging a national consensus on these issues, Tinubu reiterated his commitment to driving the nation forward.
“It is not always easy to have a national consensus on issues, but hard decisions must be made,” the president stated.
He assured that his administration is focused on ensuring that Nigeria’s infrastructure is improved, and he expressed confidence in his team to deliver results.
In concluding his remarks, Tinubu called on Nigerians at home and abroad to contribute to nation-building, stating that leadership alone cannot accomplish the task. “One economic action leads to another, and it is in your hand to build our nation. Mine is to provide the leadership, and I am committed to doing just that. We are focused, and I have a very good team,” he added.
The president’s statements come at a time of heightened debate over his economic policies, as Nigerians await the outcomes of these bold reforms on their everyday lives and the country’s overall economic landscape.
