The federal government has announced plans to give N75,000 in cash to 70 million Nigerians. This initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to reduce the economic challenges faced by citizens and is in line with his administration’s commitment to tackling poverty across the nation.
In a statement on Sunday, Hon. Aliyu Audu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, highlighted the rationale behind the initiative. He noted that President Tinubu’s government has made significant strides in addressing the country’s socio-economic issues since taking office 19 months ago.
Audu, who also serves as the convener of the APC National Stakeholders Forum, emphasized that the administration’s policies have brought tangible improvements in both local and international sectors.
Audu stated that Nigeria’s foreign reserves experienced a notable 23% increase, amounting to $7.69 billion in just one year. This surge has been attributed to effective monetary policies implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the government.
He also credited the administration for boosting the country’s oil production, which rose by 6.3% in December 2024, reaching 1.507 million barrels per day. This marked a significant achievement after years of fluctuating output.
Furthermore, Audu highlighted improvements at the state and local government levels, where increased federation allocations have enabled better infrastructure and contractor payments.
Enhanced security measures have also allowed farmers to access their land, leading to lower food prices and agricultural surpluses. The government has distributed 255 tractors to farmers to further support mechanized farming.
The administration’s achievements extend beyond economics. In 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service exceeded its revenue target by 20.2%, generating N6.105 trillion. Additionally, $52.88 million of looted funds were repatriated from the United States, reinforcing efforts to recover stolen assets.
Audu urged APC stakeholders to promote these successes, noting that opposition narratives misrepresenting the government’s progress are being countered with credible data.
His words: “The negative rhetoric and antics of opposition politicians misinforming Nigerians about the true state of things are fast evaporating. Nigeria is working by optics. Available credible data shows that President Tinubu’s government is hitting amazing targets, with the World Bank projecting a 3.5 per cent GDP growth for Nigeria’s economy in 2025 and a slight rise to 3.7 per cent in 2026,” he said.
“As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria’s oil sector saw a significant increase, rising by 6.3 per cent in December 2024 to reach 1.507 million barrels per day, according to the just-released January 2025 Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR). This means the government is hitting higher oil production targets after years of fluctuation.
“It’s a good omen at a time when the Nigeria Customs Service generated N6.105 trillion in 2024, surpassing its revenue collection target by 20.2 per cent. It’s our duty as APC image enhancers to spread these facts in the public space and counter the naysayers and their toxic false narratives.
“This 2025 is crucial in our strategic communication engagement with Nigerians. We must let people know how the President is working. Right now, President Tinubu’s leadership is increasingly sought after in the West African region as ECOWAS chairman and around the world. He was the toast of the day in Ghana as the special guest of honour at President Mahama’s inauguration recently.
“Just days ago, President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) promised to visit Nigeria soon following our president’s request, the first such visit in UAE history. Dubai, in particular, is a preferred home for many Nigerians after the UK.
“Nigeria has indeed gained much in the last 19 months under the Bola Tinubu presidency. He has given us sufficient tools to market his achievements within such a short time.”
