At APC manifesto presentation, leaders link difficult policy choices to infrastructure, stronger public finances and the next phase of household relief
Headlinenews.News | November 10, 2026
Economic reform earns its lasting value when it expands opportunity, strengthens public services and improves people’s lives. That is the central challenge—and the case for continuity—emerging from the defence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic programme by two prominent political figures.
Presidential Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and House of Representatives member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency, Abdulmumin Jibrin, spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the presentation of the APC’s 2027 manifesto, From Reforms to Prosperity.
Their argument places the administration’s difficult opening decisions within a longer development programme: correcting costly economic distortions, expanding investment capacity and translating those changes into public benefit.
According to PUNCH’s account of the event, Gbajabiamila acknowledged household hardship while defending the necessity of reform. Distinguishing leadership from electoral calculation, he said “a leader thinks about the next generation.”
Jibrin highlighted road and rail investment, particularly in Northern Nigeria, alongside increased resources reaching states.
“These are all deliberate actions being taken by this administration,” he said.
THE ECONOMIC CASE: A STRONGER FOUNDATION
The administration’s argument has identifiable numerical foundations.
In his October 30 economic statement, President Tinubu reported 4.43 per cent real GDP growth in the second quarter of 2026, with first-half growth averaging 4.2 per cent. He also reported September headline inflation of 14.63 per cent, alongside gross external reserves of $55.1 billion as of October 9. These are government-reported indicators of a strengthening economic position.
Their significance extends beyond headline presentation. Faster growth can expand commercial activity and employment opportunities. Stronger reserves provide a buffer against external shocks, while greater foreign-exchange predictability helps businesses plan purchases, investment and production.
Nevertheless, lower inflation means prices are increasing more slowly; it does not automatically restore purchasing power lost during earlier price rises. Recovery becomes more meaningful to households when earnings improve and essential goods become more affordable.
That distinction strengthens the purpose of the next policy phase: converting stabilisation into better living conditions.
EXPANDED REVENUE, GREATER DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY
A particularly important figure concerns the Federation Account.
The President’s statement put net FAAC distributions at ₦21.9 trillion in 2025, compared with ₦15.2 trillion in 2024—an increase of approximately 44 per cent.
This expands the resources available across government for roads, schools, healthcare, water and other services. It also explains why assessment of the reform dividend must extend beyond federal projects to what state and local administrations deliver.
These are nominal figures: inflation and construction costs affect how much additional infrastructure the money purchases. Even so, expanded revenue creates an opportunity that effective budgeting and project execution can turn into lasting assets.
The practical development question is therefore clear: how effectively are increased public resources being converted into services and productive investment?
INFRASTRUCTURE MUST CONNECT PRODUCTION TO PROSPERITY
Jibrin’s emphasis on transport infrastructure addresses an essential economic link.
A reliable road connects farmers with buyers, reduces vehicle damage and improves the movement of goods. Rail can support bulk freight and wider markets. Together, functioning transport networks can strengthen the conditions for manufacturing, agricultural processing and trade.
Benefits depend on completed, usable infrastructure and reliable operations. Construction activity creates immediate work; the larger dividend comes when businesses can move goods more efficiently and invest with greater confidence.
Project completion, maintenance and coordination with electricity supply will determine how strongly infrastructure spending improves competitiveness.
HUMAN CAPITAL COMPLETES THE PICTURE
Productive investment also requires skilled people.
The government’s Three Million Technical Talent programme reports more than 160,000 fellows trained across three cohorts, with 1.87 million registered and in the pipeline. The distinction matters: registrations indicate demand, while completed training represents delivery.
Connecting those skills to employers, enterprise opportunities and dependable digital infrastructure would strengthen the relationship between reform and income.
Gbajabiamila’s emphasis on delivery targets and public progress reporting is therefore consequential. A credible prosperity programme needs visible milestones through which Nigerians can assess its implementation.
Tinubu deserves recognition for confronting entrenched economic weaknesses. The strongest case for his programme will combine that courage with completed projects, productive employment and sustained household relief.
NATIONAL PATRIOTS POSITION
John Stuart Mill wrote in On Liberty that “dissentients have something worth hearing to say for themselves.”
The National Patriots commend President Tinubu’s courage in confronting longstanding economic challenges. The case for his achievements deserves thoughtful consideration, rather than dismissal because of political preference. Nigerians need not agree with every policy to recognise demonstrable progress. Fair assessment should give credit where verifiable results justify it, while supporting sustained delivery of jobs, stronger businesses and improved household welfare.
Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, MFR
President, The National Patriots
Member, APC-PCC Strategic Communications Committee 2027
