President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has marked the third anniversary of his administration with a strong defence of his government’s economic reforms, insisting the tough decisions taken since May 29, 2023, were necessary to prevent Nigeria from sliding into financial collapse.

In a lengthy statement shared via his official X handle, the President said policies such as fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms were painful but essential for long-term stability and growth. He highlighted improvements in stock market performance, rising investor confidence, ongoing road and rail projects, housing delivery, student loans, healthcare expansion, and renewed security operations.

Tinubu maintained that his administration inherited an economy weighed down by massive subsidy payments and multiple exchange rate windows that encouraged corruption and fiscal leakages. According to him, the reforms have started laying the foundation for a more stable and prosperous Nigeria.

Despite the optimistic tone of the anniversary message, reactions from Nigerians online were largely harsh and emotional, exposing the widening gap between government statistics and the daily realities faced by citizens.

Many commenters focused on the worsening insecurity across the country, especially the continued abduction of schoolchildren and teachers. Several users questioned why families were still battling kidnappings while the government celebrated progress. Hashtags demanding the return of abducted children quickly gained attention in the comment section.

Economic hardship also dominated reactions. Nigerians complained about soaring food prices, expensive transportation, rising electricity tariffs, rent increases, and declining purchasing power. Some users argued that stock market growth means little to struggling families trying to survive daily.

Others openly attacked the President, with calls for resignation and accusations that the administration has failed ordinary citizens. Some comments dismissed the anniversary address entirely, describing it as another round of “statistics” disconnected from reality.

Still, a smaller group of supporters praised Tinubu for taking difficult decisions previous administrations avoided. They pointed to visible infrastructure projects and argued that reforms require time before citizens can fully feel the benefits.

The reactions underline the growing pressure on the administration as Nigerians continue to grapple with inflation, insecurity, unemployment, and declining living conditions. While the government insists the country is on the path to recovery, many citizens say the promised relief remains far from their everyday experience.

As debates continue online and across the country, the anniversary message has once again highlighted the central challenge facing the Tinubu administration — convincing Nigerians that the sacrifices demanded today will eventually lead to a better future.

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