The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has defended the administration’s economic reforms, stating that Nigeria is gradually moving from “reforms to recovery” under President Tinubu’s leadership.

Dare made the remarks during a Northern Stakeholders Townhall Engagement held at Arewa House in Kaduna on Saturday. The event brought together political leaders, academics, youth groups, traditional rulers and civil society organisations to review the impact of the Federal Government’s policies and discuss the country’s future ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Dare, major policy decisions such as the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reforms and revenue restructuring were difficult but necessary steps aimed at preventing economic collapse and restoring long-term stability to the nation’s economy.

He noted that despite the current economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians, the reforms have started yielding positive results, including improved fiscal discipline, increased allocations to states, stronger external reserves and renewed investor confidence.

Dare also highlighted several government intervention programmes, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), healthcare reforms, youth empowerment schemes, workers’ salary adjustments and social protection initiatives aimed at cushioning the effects of the reforms on citizens.

He urged Nigerians to remain patient with the administration, stressing that meaningful economic transformation requires time, sacrifice and continuity of policies.

Participants at the townhall largely expressed support for the continuation of the reforms, warning that reversing the policies could undermine Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts and long-term development goals.