A prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Senator Ayodele Arise, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies, asserting that they have delivered tangible improvements to Nigeria’s economy despite persistent criticism from opposition figures.
Speaking with journalists over the weekend, the former senator representing Ekiti North (2007-2011) highlighted the positive outcomes of the administration’s bold decisions.
“From my position, I can say that the decisions of Mr. President have benefited many Nigerians,” Arise stated. “We can see positive movement in economic growth, supported by statistics available to the public.”
He pointed to declining inflation rates and enhanced funding for key sectors as clear indicators of progress. Arise specifically praised the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting its role in expanding access to tertiary education.
“The student loan scheme has enabled many young Nigerians to access tertiary education, ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent qualified students from going to school,” he explained.
The APC leader also credited Tinubu’s engagement with university unions including ASUU and NASU for restoring stability in the academic calendar. “Before now, students spent six or seven years on a four-year course, which contributed to brain drain,” Arise said. “Today, there is greater certainty that students can complete their studies on time, which has helped to curb that trend.”
On grassroots governance, Arise lauded the push for local government financial autonomy as a game-changer for rural development. “For the first time, local governments can meaningfully impact the lives of people at the grassroots,” he said, adding that direct fund access would improve accountability and service delivery in roads, healthcare, and primary education.
Defending the controversial fuel subsidy removal, Arise described it as a courageous yet essential move to end systemic abuse. “Only a courageous leader could take that step and stand by it,” he asserted, claiming the previous regime had allowed fraudulent practices that benefited a select few through revenue leakages.
Arise’s remarks come amid ongoing debates over the Tinubu administration’s reforms, which supporters argue are laying foundations for sustainable growth while critics highlight short-term hardships faced by citizens. The APC stalwart positioned these policies as a marked improvement over predecessors, emphasizing long-term benefits for economic stability and social development.
