President Bola Tinubu has openly acknowledged the personal and national toll of his administration’s economic reforms, admitting that the policies have been “grueling” and have affected both citizens and leadership at the highest level.
Speaking on Sunday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, shortly after being declared the winner of the All Progressives Congress presidential primary, the president said he has personally experienced the strain of steering the country through difficult economic adjustments. He added that the challenges have been so intense that he has lost sleep and weight, mirroring the hardship faced by many Nigerians.
The remarks came as he formally accepted the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the party’s preparations for the next general election cycle.
Tinubu’s comments reflect the growing public debate around his administration’s economic direction, particularly following subsidy reforms, exchange rate adjustments, and broader fiscal restructuring policies introduced since he assumed office.
While supporters argue that the reforms are necessary to stabilise Nigeria’s long-term economy, critics have pointed to rising living costs, inflationary pressure, and short-term hardship affecting households and businesses across the country.
Political analysts say the president’s remarks are likely aimed at acknowledging public frustration while reinforcing the message that the administration is not detached from the impact of its policies. By sharing personal discomfort, Tinubu appears to be positioning the reforms as shared sacrifices rather than isolated policy decisions.
The president did not announce any major policy reversal during the event, but his comments are expected to further fuel national conversations around the pace and impact of ongoing economic reforms.
As Nigeria moves deeper into the next phase of political positioning ahead of future elections, attention is likely to remain fixed on how the administration balances reform ambitions with public economic relief.