Maryam Shettima: Tinubu’s Policies Will Revive Nigeria’s Economy

As President Tinubu marked his second anniversary in office last week, Dr Maryam Shettima, in this interview with Wale Igbintade, says the administration deserves commendation for the implementation of some far-reaching policies ranging from subsidy removal to infrastructure revival and the establishment of regional development commissions

How would you rate President Tinubu’s first two years in office? 

Let’s be frank here, when President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, he inherited an economy in distress. The treasury was haemorrhaging from unsustainable subsidies, with many fearing we might follow Venezuela’s downward trajectory. Two years on, while some of these challenges persist, there are undeniable signs of progress worth commending the president for. For instance, the removal of fuel subsidy was a painful but necessary surgery to stop the bleeding. We are now seeing states clearing backlogged salaries and pensions, even debt obligations– small mercies that mean much to affected families. More remarkably, confidence is built in international investors who are returning. You are aware of the $14 billion pledge to our energy sector alone.  

Up North, the nearly complete Kaduna-Kano railway and AKK gas pipeline, once stagnant projects, now symbolise renewed momentum. These are not mere construction sites but economic game changers. Farmers report better market access, while new agro-processing plants across regions promise value addition.  

What is particularly encouraging is the administration’s dual focus: simultaneously addressing legacy debts (including IMF obligations) while investing in development. The establishment of regional commissions demonstrates welcome attention to long-neglected areas, aims to address infrastructure deficits, and tackle unemployment, poverty, insecurity, and a host of other challenges.  

Yet tempering optimism is prudent. Food prices remain painfully high, though we have seen some major steps taken to address that, and Nigerians are already seeing the results. The war against insecurity is gaining momentum, and our troops are doing their best, though these concerns linger in some regions. The true test lies in whether these foundations will translate to tangible improvements in ordinary Nigerians’ lives in the coming years.  

For me, as we reflect on these two years, it’s rather too early for definitive judgment. The administration deserves credit for stabilising the patient, but the recovery remains fragile. Perhaps in another twenty-four months, we will still be better positioned to assess whether today’s painful reforms yielded their promised transformation. 

You sound optimistic, but critics will argue that despite all you have said, poverty levels remain alarmingly high across the country, and the naira’s devaluation has crippled purchasing power for ordinary Nigerians. How would you respond to these very real concerns?  

You raised a critical point, one we cannot gloss over. Yes, macroeconomic pressures have squeezed households, but what Mr. President is building now are the structural foundations to reverse this decline. Let me explain how. First, infrastructure is productivity. For instance, in the North, when the AKK pipeline delivers gas at one-third of current energy costs, Northern factories will slash production expenses by 40-60%. Cheaper goods mean lower inflation. When the Kaduna-Kano rail moves a truckload of grain for N15,000 instead of N80,000, market prices drop. These are not theoretical gains; we are already seeing it in corridors where projects are operational.  

Second, the naira devaluation exposed our import addiction, but look at the counter strategy: The Zaria-Funtua road is enabling tomato farmers to access other markets competitively, reducing reliance on imported paste. The Kano Special Agro-Processing Zone will add value to 2 million tonnes of crops annually, exporting finished goods, not raw materials, to earn forex.  

Third, job multipliers. Every kilometre of railway built employs 200 people directly and 600 indirectly, wages that circulate locally. The Kachia University will produce graduates to operate these assets, moving youth from subsistence to skilled labour.  

Are hardships real? Absolutely. Poverty can only be defeated by systemic change. What critics miss is that today’s infrastructure is tomorrow’s cheaper food, stable jobs, and stronger naira. The timeline is painful, but the trajectory is irreversible.  

Critics claim President Tinubu favours Southern infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway over Northern development. How do you respond? 

Absolute nonsense. The facts dismantle that narrative entirely. While Southern projects dominate headlines due to their complex terrains and flashy budgets, the North has seen accelerated progress on long-stalled initiatives. Take the Kaduna-Kano railway, stuck at 30% for eight years, now leaping to 90% completion. Or the AKK gas pipeline, weeks from operation after years of delays. Comparing regions ignores geography: Northern projects often advance faster because our landscapes allow efficient execution. This is not favouritism; it is pragmatism yielding results. 

The Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway was inherited from previous administrations. Why has progress under Tinubu been so dramatic?  

Political will and accountability. President Tinubu made these projects priority contracts, with monthly progress reviews and direct presidential oversight. The $255 million Chinese loan for the Kano-Kaduna rail line was secured because this administration proved its commitment through action. Contractors now know delays won’t be tolerated. It is not magic; it is leadership refusing to accept failure as tradition. 

How will the near-complete AKK gas pipeline tangibly benefit ordinary Northerners beyond industrial zones?  

Oh, this touches kitchens and market stalls. This initiative will drive Nigeria’s economic development by generating employment, boosting revenue streams, and strengthening the national economy. Furthermore, it will play a key role in curbing gas flaring through the establishment of critical gas infrastructure, supporting environmental sustainability, safeguarding energy security, and fostering a greener future for the nation. Besides job creation, gas conversion technicians, pipeline maintenance crews, and even new industries are sprouting along the route.  

Don’t overlook the project’s reach into Kaduna State. A major stretch of the pipeline traverses the region, promising substantial benefits for our communities. Take the Kakuri Industrial Area, for instance, home to factories and vital textile producers. The AKK pipeline will reinvigorate these industries and many more, injecting fresh energy into Kaduna’s economy. We have no doubt, this project will be a game-changer for the North. This pipeline is not just infrastructure; it is an economic leveller.  

Some argue the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) is merely symbolic. What is your view?

Symbolic? Tell that to Sokoto farmers battling droughts or Zamfara communities rebuilding after banditry. The NWDC’s mandate, dedicated funding, and localised solutions break the cycle of blanket policies that ignore the North West’s unique needs. Its irrigation and security initiatives alone will safeguard livelihoods and restore stability. This is not tokenism; it is the first time the region has had tailored attention. Real impact takes time, but the framework for transformation is now in place. 

With the Federal University of Applied Science launching soon, how will it address youth unemployment in the North?

By marrying education to opportunity. This is not a university churning out graduates for nonexistent white-collar jobs; it is training engineers for the railways we are building, agri-tech specialists for our farms, and renewable energy technicians for the AKK pipeline’s next phase. The governing council has already partnered with 17 industries to guarantee internships and employment. Come 2027, these young people won’t be begging for jobs; they will be the skilled workforce driving the North’s industrial revolution. That is how you turn potential into prosperity.

With opposition leaders now uniting under a coalition ahead of 2027, critics claim your party has performed poorly and that conditions have deteriorated further under this administration. Do you believe Tinubu can secure victory in the next election?

Honestly? Tinubu’s chances in 2027 look solid to me. Love him or not, the man’s delivered where it counts, power projects in the South, farming boosts up North, and new roads in the East. Sure, opposition alliances will stir noise, but elections are won on two things: what you have done, and whether people believe you will do more. Right now, he is ticking both boxes better than the alternatives.