Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms saved Nigeria from collapse and urges Nigerians to be “generous” toward the government. Shettima speaks in Lagos on Saturday after meeting Tinubu, who returns to Nigeria from his annual vacation.

Shettima argues that when Tinubu assumed office, Nigeria’s economy was “teetering on the verge of collapse” and foreign reserves were about $3.9 billion, which he says was insufficient to import fuel for a month. He points to measures including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of multiple exchange rates as the key decisions that helped stabilize the situation, with outlets using similar language that Tinubu “saved” the economy.

Several reports also include Shettima’s acknowledgment of current hardship for Nigerians, while saying the difficulties will not last indefinitely. He says the federal government is rolling out programmes aimed at easing the impact, including plans for e-logistics and electric tricycles, as well as buses and e-taxis. He also cites the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and says the administration will continue governance alongside political activities ahead of 2027 elections.