As the Easter holiday weekend closed out a critical week for Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained away from the country on his working visit to Europe. Yet, even in absentia, the President’s influence loomed large over both national discourse and the machinery of state, with developments on the economic front pointing to hard-won gains — and on the security front, a renewed urgency to quell growing threats.
While cynics may remain unconvinced, the facts about Nigeria’s economic turnaround under President Tinubu are becoming harder to ignore. In an emphatic social media breakdown during the week, O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant on Digital and New Media, laid out facts and figures about the wins in the economic sector, including seven key economic indicators that capture the tangible impact of the Tinubu administration’s policy direction — and they paint a picture of steady recovery and renewed investor confidence.
Most strikingly, Nigeria’s total debt stock — comprising federal, state, and FCT borrowings — has declined from $108.2 billion to $94.2 billion as of December 31, 2024. In a global climate still grappling with post-pandemic economic shocks, such a reduction is no small feat. It is further bolstered by the successful clearance of a $7 billion verified foreign exchange backlog, an albatross that had previously stifled investor engagement and hindered trade flows.
Despite these repayments, Nigeria’s gross external reserves have grown to approximately $40.9 billion, up from $33 billion in 2023. More impressively, net external reserves have seen a massive 482.5% increase — from $4 billion to $23.3 billion. These are the fruits of not just prudent fiscal management, but deliberate macroeconomic reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria as a viable investment destination.
The country also recorded a balance of payments surplus of $6.83 billion in 2024, reversing deficits of over $3 billion in each of the two previous years. “This reflects stronger trade performance and increased investor confidence,” Ogra noted. Non-oil exports surged by 24.6% to $7.46 billion, while gas exports rose by 48.3% to $8.66 billion, helping drive Nigeria’s overall trade surplus.
Equally noteworthy is the revival of portfolio investment inflows, a direct indicator of investor sentiment, which more than doubled, rising by 106.5% to $13.35 billion. This marks a clear vote of confidence in the administration’s fiscal discipline and policy direction.
And in a stirring show of belief in the motherland, the Nigerian Diaspora followed suit. Remittances rose by 8.9% to $20.93 billion, complemented by a 43.5% increase in inflows via International Money Transfer Operators, now at $4.73 billion. “Thank you, dear Nigerians in the Diaspora, for believing in your country,” Ogra wrote, a sentiment echoed by many who view these figures as evidence of renewed hope taking root.
In the President’s own words, as contained in his Easter message to the nation on Friday, “We are grateful to all Nigerians for your patience and resilience as our economy begins to show encouraging signs of recovery… We are working tirelessly to restore investor confidence, stabilise key sectors, and build an inclusive economy.”
Still, as the numbers shine on paper, realities on the ground remain sobering, particularly on the security front. The week saw a resurgence of brutal violence in parts of Plateau State, continuing a cycle of bloodshed that has plagued the region for decades. In a strongly-worded statement on Monday, President Tinubu expressed sorrow over the attacks, which claimed more than 50 lives, and condemned the recurring violence rooted in long-standing communal tensions.
“The ongoing violence between communities in Plateau State, rooted in misunderstandings between different ethnic and religious groups, must cease,” the President stated. “Enough is enough.”
He disclosed that security agencies have been instructed to investigate the recent attacks thoroughly and identify those responsible. But the President also took the conversation further, calling on Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang to take up the mantle of leadership in addressing the root causes of the conflict.
“These problems have been with us for more than two decades. We can no longer ignore the underlying issues. It is time to tackle them fairly and find a lasting solution,” Tinubu said, adding that he has held multiple conversations with Governor Mutfwang on the matter.
His words underscore a broader concern: while economic indicators improve, the threat of insecurity could undercut those gains if left unchecked. Beyond Plateau, intelligence and other reports have revealed a resurgence of terrorist activities in the Northeast, and a disturbing spread of criminality in other parts of the country.
It was against this backdrop that the President’s Easter message struck a chord. “Let me assure you that my administration’s resolve to restore peace and security remains unshakable,” he said. “Forces of evil will never prevail over our country.”
Tinubu revealed that he has issued “clear directives to the Armed Forces and all relevant security agencies to end insecurity decisively and without delay.” He added, “with the unwavering courage and commitment of our gallant men and women in uniform, we are turning the tide and making steady progress in reclaiming peace and stability.”
These statements are not just rhetorical. Even while away in Europe, the President has maintained constant communication with his security and intelligence chiefs. The Presidency on Thursday confirmed that Tinubu remains fully engaged with national affairs, giving directives and receiving briefings in real-time from Paris and later London.
From economic stabilization to security escalation, this past week encapsulates the dual challenge that faces the Tinubu administration: sustaining the current momentum on the economic front while decisively addressing the nation’s security challenges. But in both arenas, there are signs of seriousness and structure, the hallmarks of purposeful governance.
Critics may question the timelines or doubt the methods, but for many Nigerians, there is an unmistakable shift in tone and substance under this administration. One that recognises that governance is not a sprint, but a marathon, and that progress, while often slow, is real when built on foundations of competence, clarity, and conviction.
As the nation continues its slow but steady march towards stability and growth, President Tinubu’s message this Easter may serve as both a prayer and a promise: “Just as Christ triumphed over death, so too shall our country triumph over every challenge we face… The present moment may be cloudy, but it will usher in a glorious day.”
Indeed, for many Nigerians, the sun may already be peeking through.
As President Tinubu continues to steer the nation through the complex process of national restructuring, his activities in the past week reflected not only resolve, but a clear-eyed focus on laying durable foundations for a prosperous, secure and data-informed Nigeria. From declarations of national urgency to dignified recognitions of outstanding Nigerians, President Tinubu demonstrated that governance, under his leadership, remains multifaceted and deeply purposeful.
Besides his intervention on the Plateau crisis and his assurances in his Easter message, the other event at the heart of his week’s engagements was the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on the National Population and Housing Census, a significant step toward Nigeria’s long-overdue census. The last comprehensive national headcount took place in 2006, nearly two decades ago. Since then, demographic shifts, migration patterns, urbanization, and socioeconomic realities have drastically changed the national landscape.
Inaugurated on Wednesday at the State House, the committee has been tasked with delivering an interim report within three weeks. President Tinubu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, stressed the pivotal role of a credible, technology-driven census in national planning and development.
“You cannot budget if you do not know how many we are,” he noted emphatically, charging the committee to work closely with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. The President’s insistence on deploying biometrics and digital tools underlines a modern, forward-thinking approach, one that ensures transparency, inclusivity, and accuracy.
The committee, chaired by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, comprises key government figures including the Minister of Finance, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Indeed, as Nigeria seeks to reset its economic, infrastructural, and social compass, such a data-driven exercise is not just timely, it is indispensable.
While the census dominated the policy space, President Tinubu also took bold steps on food security, declaring a national emergency on Monday. At the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage in Abuja, the President, represented by SGF George Akume, emphasized the urgency of expanding irrigation infrastructure and embracing participatory water resource management.
This move comes at a time when global food supply chains remain fragile and local agricultural productivity requires immediate strengthening. The declaration signals the administration’s recognition of food security not just as a matter of survival, but of national strategy.
True to his inclusive governance style, the President also found time to honour exceptional Nigerians whose lives and work inspire others. On Sunday, he celebrated the 65th birthday of businessman and industrialist Tunde Folawiyo, praising him as a beacon of entrepreneurial excellence and a committed champion of Nigeria’s economic progress.
Midweek, he extended similar honours to Dr. Oladele Fajemirokun, marking his 75th birthday with a tribute that lauded his legacy across insurance, telecommunications, oil and gas, and philanthropy.
In the realm of international recognition, President Tinubu hailed Mo Abudu’s inclusion in TIME Magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. He celebrated the media mogul’s achievements as a “global affirmation of African excellence” and a source of national pride. Abudu’s storytelling and cultural diplomacy continue to elevate Nigeria’s image on the world stage, and the President’s commendation reinforced his support for the creative industry’s global aspirations.
From moving to halt needless killings and destruction to statistical recalibration to food security, and from celebrating visionary leaders to supporting global icons, the week was a microcosm of Tinubu’s broader national vision—one grounded in resilience, inclusion, and forward motion.
As he moves forward with his agenda of restructuring, the President’s assurance that Nigerians will live in peace, security, and prosperity appears increasingly anchored in deliberate planning and strategic action. With data as the new oil, and national unity as the refining force, Tinubu’s recent activities underscore a government gearing up not just for today’s challenges but tomorrow’s possibilities.
He is expected back in the country this week from his closet reflections, with new ideas and plans, which will be unveiling in coming weeks and months. We all must wait to experience what more he has for the nation.
