Bagudu: Tinubu’s reforms beginning to pay off despite early doubts

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, says Nigeria’s economic reforms are beginning to produce results, expressing confidence that sustained implementation and better coordination of fiscal and monetary policies will drive stronger growth.

Bagudu spoke on Saturday at Nigeria’s news conference in Bangkok, Thailand, during the 2026 World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings.

He credited President Bola Tinubu with the political will to implement the reforms, despite initial concerns about their feasibility, and said continued commitment was necessary to consolidate the gains.

The minister said closer coordination among government institutions would be critical to achieving the administration’s economic targets for 2030.

According to him, lessons from previous years have helped the government better understand Nigeria’s economic challenges and improve policy implementation.

Bagudu also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s international standing, citing what he described as growing confidence in the country’s governance, transparency and economic management.

He commended the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and other officials for their roles in driving the reform process.

Describing Tinubu as a visionary leader, Bagudu said implementing difficult economic policies required courage and political will.

He urged government officials and other stakeholders to sustain collaboration, stressing that consistent implementation would be crucial to achieving the country’s growth ambitions.