Presidency: Obaseki’s warning shows Tinubu’s reforms saved Nigeria from economic crisis

The Presidency has urged Nigerians, including opposition leaders, to acknowledge President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, arguing that the administration helped avert the financial crisis once predicted by former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the call in a post on his X account on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Onanuga referenced an old video of Obaseki warning that Nigeria was heading for a major fiscal crisis if urgent economic reforms were not undertaken.

Onanuga said recent economic developments have vindicated the Tinubu administration’s decision to implement difficult but necessary reforms aimed at stabilising the economy.

He urged Nigerians to revisit Obaseki’s earlier prediction, saying it underscored the need for the policy decisions taken by the current administration.

The presidential spokesman noted that Nigerians, including critics of the Tinubu administration, should recognise the president’s efforts to steer the country away from the economic situation Obaseki had warned about.

Onanuga wrote: “My fellow Nigerians, please revisit former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s warning made several years ago about the country’s looming financial crisis.

“In light of that prediction, Nigerians—including opposition leaders—should acknowledge President Tinubu’s efforts to avert a potential economic catastrophe through his bold reforms.”

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Onanuga stressed that Tinubu’s reforms were not designed to inflict hardship on citizens but to prevent a deeper economic collapse and place Nigeria on a more sustainable growth path.

The presidential spokesman said the administration had already undertaken the most difficult phase of the reforms by restoring macroeconomic stability.

He added that the next phase of the government’s agenda would focus on delivering broad-based prosperity and improving the living standards of Nigerians.

He said: “President Tinubu did not introduce the economic measures to make Nigerians suffer, but to steer the country away from the dire outcome Obaseki predicted and place the economy on a more sustainable path.

“President Tinubu has done the most difficult work by stabilising the economy. His next reform is about bringing prosperity to all Nigerians.”