The Presidency has rejected claims by The Economist regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s popularity among Nigerians, describing the publication’s assessment as “intellectual fraud” while defending the administration’s economic reforms.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement titled “Beyond the Economist Condescension: Nigeria’s Re-engineering Under Tinubu is Unstoppable,” the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, accused the international publication of presenting a distorted picture of developments in Nigeria.

Dare argued that The Economist failed to adequately consider the economic challenges inherited by the Tinubu administration and the impact of reforms implemented since May 2023.

“The Economist claims Nigerians dislike their President, but it’s a claim that smells of opposition and is riddled with inconsistencies,” he said.

The presidential aide also accused some foreign publications of relying on what he described as “sensationalist half-truths” in their coverage of Nigeria.

He dismissed the suggestion that Nigerians were broadly rejecting Tinubu, describing such a conclusion as an oversimplification of the country’s political and economic realities.

According to Dare, foreign commentators have repeatedly viewed Nigeria through a “cracked, distorted lens,” focusing on predictions of economic collapse, institutional paralysis and widespread public despair while overlooking developments across the country.

He said some publications had promoted what he called a “lazy, hollow fiction” that Nigerians hated President Tinubu, arguing that such narratives reduced complex administrative challenges to a simplistic story of national rejection.

“This is not merely analytical laziness; it is an intellectual fraud,” Dare stated, adding that such assessments ignored what he described as the “monumental” task undertaken by the Tinubu administration since May 2023.

The former Minister of State for Information said Tinubu’s performance should be assessed against the economic conditions that confronted the administration when it assumed office.

Dare argued that the President did not inherit a “functioning, well-oiled state,” but rather an economy facing severe financial and structural challenges.

He pointed to the fuel subsidy regime, multiple foreign exchange windows, public debt pressures and years of underinvestment in critical infrastructure as some of the problems inherited by the administration.

“The Nigerian economy groaned under multiple, distorted foreign exchange windows that bred corruption and choked legitimate enterprise,” the Presidency stated.

It added that the debt service-to-revenue ratio had risen to about 95 per cent, leaving government finances under severe pressure, while decades of underinvestment had weakened critical national assets, security infrastructure, energy systems and other essential infrastructure.

Dare maintained that addressing such deep-rooted problems could not happen without some transitional hardship.

He argued that, rather than postponing difficult decisions, Tinubu chose to confront what he described as structural contradictions within the Nigerian economy.

According to the Presidency, the administration’s reforms have begun to reshape the economy through policies aimed at eliminating longstanding distortions.

It cited the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the administration’s major decisions, arguing that it had stopped the loss of public resources and enabled government to redirect funds towards capital development and fiscal sustainability.

The Presidency also highlighted the foreign exchange reforms, claiming that the unification and rationalisation of the market reduced opportunities for arbitrage, attracted foreign investment and contributed to improvements in trade balances and external reserves.

It further pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying the programme had enabled hundreds of thousands of students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to access higher education without the burden of tuition fees.

Other achievements highlighted by the Presidency included local government financial autonomy, the increase in the national minimum wage, mass-transit Compressed Natural Gas buses and various measures aimed at reducing the impact of rising transportation costs.

The administration also cited fertiliser distribution, agricultural loans and the provision of modern farming equipment, including tractors, as part of its efforts to improve food production and revitalise rural economies.

On the suggestion that Nigerians were broadly hostile towards Tinubu, the Presidency rejected the claim, arguing that such a narrative did not reflect the experiences of many citizens.

It maintained that the impact of government programmes could be seen among students, parents, farmers and other Nigerians who had benefited from various interventions.

The Presidency therefore urged Nigerians and international observers to assess Tinubu’s administration within the context of the economic conditions it inherited and the reforms it has implemented since assuming office.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he would restore the petrol subsidy regime if elected president in the 2027 election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The former Anambra State governor, however, said his administration would ensure that the subsidy programme was not undermined by the corruption he believes characterised its previous implementation.

Obi made the comments during an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, marking a change from his position during the 2023 presidential campaign, when he supported the removal of the petrol subsidy.

He argued that the subsidy itself was not the major problem, but rather the corruption associated with its administration.

“From day one, I’ve talked about subsidy. I talked about corruption; corruption is the problem of subsidy,” Obi said.

When asked directly whether he would reintroduce the subsidy if elected president, Obi answered in the affirmative but stressed that he would first tackle the corruption surrounding the policy.

“Yes. But remember, I have qualified it, not with the corruption that’s associated with it. I’ll remove the corruption and retain the subsidy,” he stated.

Obi also outlined his approach to fighting corruption in government, saying the conduct of the president and members of his immediate family would play an important role in reducing corruption.

“If you are not stealing, if you are not involved, your wife and family are not involved, you reduce it by 50 per cent,” the presidential candidate said.

During the 2023 presidential campaign, Obi had supported the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that funds spent on the programme could instead be channelled into critical areas such as education, healthcare and infrastructure.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu subsequently announced the end of the petrol subsidy regime during his inauguration on May 29, 2023.

Obi’s latest position also comes after comments by his running mate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who said in September that an NDC government led by Obi would introduce its own form of subsidy arrangement.

Meanwhile, during the BBC interview, Obi rejected suggestions that he should withdraw from the 2027 presidential race in favour of another opposition candidate if opposition parties eventually agree on a consensus candidate.

“We don’t need to step down. We need to do the right thing,” he said.

Sets November 12 for Grand Ceremony at Army Resource Centre, Abuja....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Theme: “SERVICE OVER SELF” Celebrating Excellence, Honouring Impacts.

All is now set for the most anticipated gathering of leaders, icons, and change-makers in Nigeria as SIXT-MEDIA LANE, one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing and most credible online media platforms, announces its ANNUAL AWARDS AND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP LECTURE 2026.

The prestigious event is slated to hold on Wednesday, 12th November 2026, at the magnificent Nigerian Army Resource Center, Asokoro, Abuja, by 10:00 AM prompt.

According to the Publisher and Chairman Planning Committee, *Amb Prince Sixtus Opara*, this year’s edition promises to be bigger, better and more impactful than ever.

Speaking on the theme, *”SERVICE OVER SELF: Celebrating Excellence, Honouring Impacts,”* Amb Opara stated that the theme was carefully chosen to reflect the need to celebrate Nigerians who have placed national interest, humanity and service above personal gains.

In a time when many are chasing personal glory, there are still men and women who are serving selflessly – in governance, business, security, education, health, media, entertainment, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and community development. This award is to celebrate excellence and honour their impacts. We want to tell their stories and inspire others to do more,” he said.

The SIXT-MEDIA LANE Annual Awards is designed to honour distinguished Nigerians from all walks of life, Public Servants, Political Leaders, Traditional Rulers, Security Chiefs, Business Moguls, Entrepreneurs, Humanitarians, Clergy, Youth Icons, Women of Virtue, Media Practitioners and Outstanding Organizations whose contributions have positively shaped Nigeria.

The event will also feature a National Leadership Lecture to be delivered by eminent thought leaders, where critical national issues will be dissected and solutions proffered for Nigeria’s growth and unity.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:

In view of this, the management of SIXT-MEDIA LANE is hereby calling on the general public to nominate credible, outstanding and impactful individuals and organizations they feel deserve to be honoured on that day.

If you know someone whose service is exceptional, whose leadership is inspiring and whose impact is undeniable, nominate them now!

HOW TO NOMINATE / PARTICIPATE:

Interested members of the public, organizations and nominees are advised to reach out to the organizing committee through the following channels:

Email: sixtmedialane2021@gmail.com

Phone numbers:
09077706166 ( Call)
08036562634 (WhatsApp Only)

Nomination should include: Nominee’s Full Name, Organization, Category of Award (if known), Brief Profile / Achievements and Contact Details of the person nominating.

Entry for sponsorship, partnership, media coverage and exhibition stands is also open.

This is not just an award, it is a national movement to celebrate genuine service. We want Nigerians to be part of it. Nominate your hero today,” Amb Opara added.

Mark the Date:
Date: 12th November, 2026
Venue: Nigerian Army Resource Center, Asokoro – Abuja
Time: 10:00 AM
Theme: SERVICE OVER SELF, Celebrating Excellence, Honouring Impacts

For more information, visit https://www.sixtmedialane.com

Signed:
Amb Prince Sixtus Opara
Publisher / Chairman Planning Committee
SIXT-MEDIA LANE Annual Awards & National Leadership Lecture 2026