Vice President Kashim Shettima has said President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms saved Nigeria from a looming financial crisis and prevented the country from “falling to pieces.”
Shettima made the remarks on Saturday while speaking with journalists after visiting Tinubu at the President’s residence in Lagos.
The Vice President acknowledged that the removal of fuel subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange regime had created significant hardship for Nigerians but argued that the measures were necessary to prevent a more severe economic crisis.
According to him, the administration inherited an economy that was already in serious difficulty, with foreign reserves of about $3.9 billion.
“The economy was actually teetering on the verge of collapse; he saved the economy. I want Nigerians to understand this fundamental truism. We are on the road to Caracas. He saved our economy. He saved the nation from falling to pieces,” Shettima said.
He said Tinubu demonstrated the “courage and conviction” needed to implement difficult reforms despite their immediate impact on households and businesses.
Shettima appealed to Nigerians to remain patient with the administration, acknowledging the economic pressure many families are experiencing.
“We appreciate the pains Nigerians are going through, but tough times do not last forever. Tough people do,” he said.
Government plans electric transport rollout
The Vice President also announced plans to introduce a major electric transportation initiative in the North-East as part of efforts to reduce transportation costs and ease the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
He said the Federal Government would deploy 10,600 electric tricycles across the region, alongside 300 buses and electric taxis under an e-logistics programme expected to be launched within the next few weeks.
“In the next couple of weeks, we are going to launch e-logistics in the Northeast. We are going to run 10,600 electric tricycles to ease the pains of the people in the Northeast, and 300 buses and taxis, e-taxis,” he said.
Shettima said the initiative was among several measures being introduced by the administration to cushion the effects of its economic policies.
He also pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as another intervention designed to ensure that students from financially disadvantaged families can access tertiary education.
According to him, Tinubu remains concerned about the difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians and is committed to introducing programmes to alleviate their burden.
“The president has empathy, a lot of empathy for the common man,” Shettima said.
Shettima dismisses concerns over Tinubu’s absence
Shettima also said Tinubu remained actively involved in the affairs of government during his recent stay abroad, dismissing suggestions that the President’s absence had affected governance.
He said he remained in regular communication with Tinubu, adding that they spoke almost every other day about developments in the country.
“We have been in regular contact. We speak almost every other day, and we are updating him. We are updating him on developments in the nation, and we are happy he’s back on the beat,” he said.
The Vice President said the President’s return would lead to further decisions and programmes aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.
He added that the political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections would not distract the administration from its responsibilities.
“Politics is in the air, but we will combine politics and governance,” Shettima said.
Tinubu returned to Nigeria earlier in the week following his stay in Europe and has since resumed official engagements in Lagos.
