Vice-President Kashim Shettima has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has fixed Nigeria’s economy, assuring citizens that the worst days of economic hardship are over.
Shettima made the declaration on Wednesday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally, where he defended the Federal Government’s economic reforms and appealed to Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The Vice-President acknowledged that the reforms introduced by the administration had come with short-term economic difficulties for Nigerians but insisted that the government had successfully navigated the difficult period.
“We are not in denial about the short-term pain that has accompanied our reforms. We have already come through that surgery, and believe me, it was successful,” he said.
Shettima explained that the reforms were necessary to address longstanding structural weaknesses, strengthen public finances, improve government revenue and restore investor confidence.
He said the administration inherited an economy burdened by fiscal pressure, infrastructure deficits and weakened investor confidence, arguing that difficult decisions were required to address the challenges.
“We inherited an economy burdened by fiscal pressure. We inherited a country with an infrastructure deficit. We inherited a country with weakened investor confidence and structural defects. These problems demanded decisions that no responsible government could postpone. But I come to you to assure you that the worst days are over. We have already fixed our economy,” he stated.
The Vice-President maintained that the reforms had improved revenue generation and increased allocations to state governments, giving them additional resources to invest in infrastructure and other development projects.
He also said the administration was pursuing policies aimed at encouraging local production, attracting investment and reducing the country’s dependence on the export of raw materials.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been a long-awaited silver lining. We have pursued reforms to protect public finances. We have pursued reforms to raise revenue. We have pursued reforms to restore investor confidence and encourage Nigerian production,” he said.
On infrastructure, Shettima highlighted the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway, describing it as a major investment that would strengthen economic connections between the North-Central and North-Eastern regions.
He said the project, alongside the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, would improve transportation, reduce the cost of moving goods and connect agricultural and industrial production centres to markets.
According to him, the infrastructure investments are designed to stimulate employment, strengthen regional trade and accelerate economic development.
Shettima also identified Nasarawa State as one of the beneficiaries of the administration’s industrial development agenda, citing its agricultural and mineral resources.
He recalled the commissioning of the Diamond New Energy Lithium Processing Plant in the state, saying the government’s policy was to encourage local processing of mineral resources instead of exporting them in their raw form.
The Vice-President said the strategy would create manufacturing jobs, increase local economic value and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial capacity.
On education, he disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the conversion of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, into the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology.
He described the initiative as a strategic investment in developing the technical manpower needed to harness Nigeria’s solid mineral resources.
Shettima also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that students from Nasarawa State could benefit from the Federal Government’s student loan programme to pursue higher education.
He, however, acknowledged the sacrifices Nigerians had made since the introduction of the economic reforms, assuring them that the administration remained committed to translating the gains into better living conditions.
The Vice-President subsequently appealed to Nigerians to give Tinubu another four-year mandate, arguing that the administration needed more time to complete its ongoing development programmes.
He said the APC was returning to Nigerians to present its record and seek their support for another term.
“We have come here today because we owe Nigerians an account of our stewardship,” he said.
Shettima also urged Nigerians to shun electoral violence and embrace peaceful political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, also called on the people of Nasarawa State to support Tinubu’s re-election.
Abbas argued that several ongoing projects would require another four years under Tinubu’s leadership for completion, while Uzodimma described the President as the architect of modern Nigeria.
Also speaking, the APC governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Senator Ahmed Wadada, defended the Federal Government’s reforms, citing infrastructure projects and developments in the capital market as signs of economic recovery.
He argued that only “an open enemy” would dismiss the achievements recorded by the administration since May 2023.
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