Tinubu Took Tough Decisions to Rescue Nigeria’s Economy — Dafinone

By Endurance Ikanone

The senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has defended the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the administration’s tough decisions as necessary measures to reposition Nigeria’s economy and place the country on a sustainable path to growth.

Dafinone stated this during a recent appearance on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme, One On One, where he discussed the state of the Nigerian economy, governance, youth empowerment, federal character and other issues of national importance.

The senator said the economic difficulties being experienced by Nigerians were largely connected to the difficult decisions taken by the Tinubu administration, insisting that the measures were required to address longstanding structural problems in the economy.

According to him, President Tinubu came into office with a clear understanding of the economic challenges confronting the country and was prepared to take decisions that previous administrations had avoided.

Dafinone specifically cited the removal of petrol subsidy, reform of the electricity subsidy regime and the foreign exchange reforms as major decisions taken by the administration to restore economic sustainability.

He acknowledged that the reforms had imposed significant hardship on Nigerians, particularly households struggling with the rising cost of food, accommodation, education and other basic necessities.

However, the lawmaker maintained that the immediate pain should be viewed against the long term objective of rebuilding the economy.

He expressed optimism that the policies would increasingly produce positive results, arguing that the government was already taking steps to boost local production, improve economic activity and reduce the country’s dependence on unsustainable subsidy arrangements.

Dafinone also pointed to the Federal Government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative as one of the measures capable of reducing transportation costs and stimulating economic activity.

He explained that Nigeria could utilise its abundant gas resources more effectively to provide cheaper alternatives for transportation, thereby reducing pressure on households and businesses.

The senator urged Nigerians to remain patient with the reforms, stressing that economic transformation could not be achieved overnight.

His position echoes earlier statements in which he called on Nigerians to support the Tinubu administration, arguing that the President’s reforms were laying the foundation for long term economic recovery and sustainable growth.

Beyond the economy, Dafinone used the NTA platform to speak on the need for responsible leadership and greater accountability in governance.

He also advocated stronger protection for traditional institutions, arguing that traditional rulers play important roles in preserving Nigeria’s history, culture and community identity and should not be subjected to unnecessary political interference.

On the future of Nigerian youths, the senator emphasised the importance of skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, agriculture and digital innovation, urging young people to look beyond dependence on conventional white collar employment.

He maintained that Nigeria’s young population could become a major driver of national development if properly trained and given opportunities to apply their skills.

Dafinone’s intervention on NTA therefore centred on the need for Nigerians to understand the rationale behind the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms while also demanding effective governance and accountability.

He expressed confidence that the sacrifices being made by citizens today would ultimately translate into a stronger and more sustainable Nigerian economy, urging Nigerians not to lose hope in the country’s future.

The senator’s comments add to his consistent public defence of the Tinubu administration’s economic direction, particularly his position that the difficult reforms were unavoidable if Nigeria was to overcome its longstanding fiscal challenges and establish a more sustainable foundation for future growth.