Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity in this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, speaks on President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office, state of the economy, merger talks by the opposition and other issues. Excerpts:
With one year into governance, can you tell us about some of the pains and gains of the current government?
I would rather talk about the gains. What you described as pain can also be called inconvenience, which came out of the reforms that are necessary to set the country on the part of irreversible and sustainable progress.
The country was going down with a debilitating fiscal burden caused by over 4 decades of paying for cheap fuel for citizens at the expense of real development through provision of critical economic infrastructure and social services especially in education and healthcare. We were at a point when over 90% of government revenue was going into debt servicing and Federation account where money is distributed to the 3 tiers of government could not be properly funded as a result of payment for fuel subsidy. It was a depressing situation President Bola Tinubu met in terms of finances of the country. It was obvious to everyone that a decision had to be taken or we face an uncertain future as a country. Any good leader like President Tinubu will take a decision like he did to preserve the country and redirect the country to the part of recovery and sustainability rather than just papering over the cracks. The gains of the reforms manifested from day one. After removing the subsidy on petrol, the money accruable to the Federation account increased. This meant that the federal, States and local governments have more money to spend on development. There is no month since June 2023 FAAC has shared less than N1.1trillion apart from the monthly savings that is made. The gains in the last one year has been tremendous. Nigerians can see it in on ongoing infrastructural projects across the country in roads, bridges, rail, power, education among others. The President promised Nigerians Students’ Loan as it is done in developed societies so every young person can pursue their educational dream. The scheme came alive few days ago. The President promised a consumer credit scheme too to unlock more value in the economy and spur consumption and boost industrial capacity and productivity. Long before he became President, President Tinubu had been an advocate of credit system that allows citizens have access to all the consumer products they need without going through the pressure of having to pay for them 100%. Through the Consumer Credit Corporation, Nigerians can begin to buy cars, electrical appliances, personal computers etc on payment plans as long as they have jobs and verifiable source of income. Still talking about the gain of the last one year, security is improving across the country. The Armed forces and other security agencies are being supported by the President to effectively contain and eliminate security threats. We are seeing the successes being recorded daily. Just last week 380 Nigerians were rescued from in Sambisa forest after 10 years of captivity. In the last year, more than 2000 Nigerians have been rescued. The Minister of Defence gave a report last week at the Ministerial Press briefing that over 9000 terrorists and bandits have been neutralised by the military. President Tinubu has used last one year to stabilise the country and re-order the priorities. The gains are becoming very visible and things will get better for Nigerians as he consolidates the gains going into his second year in office.
It has been said the Tinubu’s government inherited an economy that was almost heading towards a total collapse. How grave was the situation the current administration met on ground?
The economic situation was grave to the extent that we didn’t have money to fund our national budget and our development projects. We were using 90% of government revenue to service debts and businesses could not get access to foreign exchange they need to buy raw materials and machineries they need. Airlines could not repatriate their fund for more than five years. Nigerians were paying 3 to 4 times more for international travels than countries in West Africa for same hours of travel. Foreign Direct Investments plummeted. The economic outlook was not attractive for a number of reasons since 2013. The last administration struggled with the economy because of local and international factors.
From rising inflation to skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs and a shaky exchange rate, some analysts have expressed concerns the country still has a long way to go. When and how exactly does the government plan to turn things around?
When treating a badly wounded accident victim, the recovery and healing will not be within a twinkle. It will be gradual. First, doctors and nurses will first stop the bleeding after which they will begin necessary application of treatment options. The President working with his Ministers and economic managers have removed the distortions in the economy, embarked on fiscal and tax reforms that will accelerate the economic recovery, make Nigeria attractive to investors and make doing business much better and easier. Things are already turning around. If you travel across the country, you will see increasing pace of development going on especially with civil works. Major roads, housing, pipeline projects are going on that are employing thousands of people. More people have disposable income as a result of these ongoing projects. I am talking of projects being funded by the Federal and State governments. I don’t think there is any state in Nigeria today that is not spending money in key sectors that are major economic drivers. Whether they are constructing roads, building schools, hospitals or getting people to farm, opportunities are being created for people who are willing to work and earn a living to do so. Things are turning around for good. Government only needs to increase the pace so that majority of our people can feel the impact of government at all levels.
There are a lot of talks about some underperforming ministers. Aside from the few shining lights that seem to have elevated the vision of the FG, is the President looking to fire or rejig his cabinet as many people anticipated?
The President has the power to hire and fire any of his appointees and he will certainly exercise that power whenever he deems it fit to do so. I don’t think we should pay attention to social media rumours and innuendos. The government is just one year and the Ministers have just spent 9 months on their desks.
In the area of investments, the President has embarked on a number of foreign trips to Dubai and a number of other countries. When exactly are we going to start seeing the dividend of those visits?
If you are really following the development in the economy and the polity you should be tracking the dividends because they are manifesting. When the President traveled to India for G20 Summit in August last year, he hosted top Indian business leaders privately and also hosted an investment forum. From that India trip alone, $14billion dollars fresh commitments were made by Indian investors, some of whom have existing businesses in Nigeria and those who want to make new investments in Nigeria. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite recently said a substantial part of the $ 14 billion commitments from India has materialised and already in-country by way of production lines expansion by existing Indian companies in Nigeria. In Dubai last year December during COP28, the President and German Chancellor who came to Nigeria earlier before then agreed on accelerated execution of the Siemens Power Project which was signed in 2019 by last administration under the Presidential Power Initiative. Today, the power project is being executed. Minister of Power gave an update on installation and recent commissioning of some of the mobile stations under the Siemens Power project. Vice President Kashim Shettima said last week that the Tinubu-led administration has attracted over $20billion dollars in Foreign Direct Investments into key sectors of the economy. Minister of State Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri said at the Ministerial Press Briefing last week that $15billion new investments into the oil and gas sector will soon be announced by major International Oil Companies. All these are happening on the back of the investment drive and foreign trips of the President.
The political tension in Kano State has got Nigerians worried over the recent action of the NSA and deployment of soldiers. Some including the NNPP government in the state have started insinuating that the Presidency may likely have a private interest in the battle for the Emirate throne. How will you react to this?
The NSA has denied any involvement in the chieftaincy matter in Kano State. I think it is a wrong assertion and assumption to claim the NSA or the Presidency is directly or remotely involved in the unfolding situation in Kano.
Barely one year into his tenure, there are already plots by the mega opposition parties over a potential merger to oust the President ahead of 2027. Is the President wary of this renewed threat?
The President is focused on governance and delivering on his agenda to make the country better and prosperous for her citizens. We should not be a country that is perpetually in election mode and politicking. President Tinubu can never be bothered about any plot by the opposition. I think the media should help the country to focus on governance and stop giving undue oxygen to politicking. We know politicians will always play politics but the media can also help moderate things so that the business of governance which is making life better for the citizens can get better traction.
Is the presidency comfortable with the ongoing move by the N’Assembly to revert the National Anthem to the old one?
National Assembly is created by the constitution as an important arm of government to make laws for the good governance of the country. Whatever falls within the remit of good governance is within the power of the National Assembly to legislate on. Personally, I think both the old and current national anthems are good. They carry important message that we should imbibe as Nigerians. The message of patriotism, loyalty and faithful service to our country.
The recent retrenchment of over 200 CBN staff in additional to the previous downsizing has raised eyebrows. Are there reasons for the mass sacking or is it in line with the implementation of the Oronsaye Report.
I don’t work for the Central Bank and I can’t really say much about what is happening in the apex bank because I don’t have the facts. CBN has autonomy and sure has a well-defined system of managing its human resources. The issue you raised is an internal affairs of CBN and only the bank is better qualified to speak to it.
With the removal of fuel subsidy and other ongoing reforms with repeated calls for Nigerians to be patient, how long more will they have to wait before seeing the Renewed Hope gains and dividend of democracy promised by this government?
The gains are manifesting I like I said earlier. Those who drive on 3rd Mainland Bridge and Nigerians who now experience better travel time on many roads across the country can see the gain in the number of hours they spend to travel. The gains can also be felt in improved security with farmers who can now go back to their farms. Students who will now be able to apply for loan and Nigerians who will be able to access credit for consumer goods can see the gains. What the government is focused on now is expanding the gains across sectors so majority of Nigerians can positively feel the impact of governance and have better standards of living and improved quality of life.
