Senator Iyabo Obasanjo hails Tinubu’s economic reforms, highlights Naira stability as a major achievement

The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Iyabo Obasanjo, has credited the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the recent stabilization of the Naira against the Dollar, describing it as a commendable achievement.

Speaking on Saturday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, the former Senator representing Ogun Central lauded the relative predictability in the exchange rate, calling the stabilization “a big one” and a crucial factor for business growth and economic prosperity.

Obasanjo, who recently declared her intention to contest for the Ogun State governorship seat in 2027, also expressed strong support for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project.

She highlighted its potential to ease traffic along the Ogun State corridor of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, improve transportation to the Eastern states, and boost economic activity by linking the ports in Calabar and Lagos.

“Predictability in exchange rates is huge,” Obasanjo stated. “When people can forecast their import costs and export income accurately, it fosters a healthier economic environment. It prevents the distortions caused by sudden fluctuations in the dollar.”

She further noted that beyond exchange rate stability, there are other positive indicators. “There are improvements in security due to enhanced collaboration, and the President’s international trips are fostering trade and economic development. These are fundamental to our progress.”

Transitioning to state politics, Iyabo Obasanjo asserted her qualifications to become Nigeria’s first female governor. She argued that Ogun State, with its high literacy rate and historical legacy of powerful female figures like Madam Tinubu and the Egba women warriors, is perfectly positioned to lead the way in gender-inclusive governance.

Regarding the governorship zoning debate, the former Commissioner for Health addressed the agitation from Ogun West, noting that it has not been the fault of Ogun Central that the zone has yet to produce a governor since the state’s creation in 1976. She recalled efforts by her father and other Central politicians to support a candidate from the West, which ultimately did not succeed. Obasanjo lamented the lack of a consensus between the East and Central senatorial districts to cede the position to Ogun West, suggesting this remains a significant hurdle for aspirants from that zone.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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