Tinubu's Govt Focused on Solutions, Not Blame Game

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration prioritizes governance over blame, remaining open to constructive ideas to drive national progress.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 22nd cohort of the Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) School of Leadership in Abuja, Bagudu defended the administration’s tough economic decisions, including fuel subsidy removal, as necessary steps to stabilize Nigeria’s economy.

He noted that while challenges persist, indicators such as rising GDP and the World Bank’s projected 3.7% growth for 2025 signal positive momentum.

Bagudu, however, cautioned against comparing Nigeria’s democratic, free-market system with countries like Rwanda or Singapore, citing unique structural differences.

“We acknowledge we don’t have all the answers,” Bagudu stated.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda recognizes Nigeria wasn’t where it should be when we took office, but instead of trading blame, we’ve made bold decisions—some painful—to steer the economy forward.”

He highlighted tangible outcomes, including tripled revenue allocations to states and an 80% reduction in some states’ domestic debts due to federal interventions.

Meanwhile, Centre LSD’s Founding Executive Director, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, lamented Africa’s leadership deficit despite abundant resources, urging graduates to champion transformational leadership rooted in integrity and community-centric values.

The Centre’s Executive Director, Monday Osasah, announced that the tuition-free leadership school has now trained 2,950 beneficiaries, while Ford Foundation’s Dr. Chichi Aniagolu commended its role in fostering sustainable development.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Benson Uwheru, called for inclusive policies and stronger public-private collaborations to accelerate growth.

The event reinforced calls for accountable leadership to harness Nigeria’s potential.

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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