The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has said President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms are beginning to yield results, expressing optimism that Nigeria will gradually experience greater benefits from the policies.
The minister made the remarks in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during a press conference to endorse a book examining Tinubu’s administration and its reform agenda.
According to her, stronger foreign reserves, easing inflation and improving confidence in the economy suggest that the country is moving beyond the most difficult phase of the reforms. She expressed hope that the gains would become more visible in the lives of Nigerians.
The Federal Government has defended major economic measures introduced since 2023, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange market. Officials argue that the policies have improved public finances, strengthened external reserves and helped restore economic stability.
Recent economic figures have also pointed to some improvements. The World Bank’s October 2026 Nigeria Development Update reported that the economy grew by 4.2 per cent in the first half of 2026, compared with 3.9 per cent during the corresponding period in 2025. The report also noted that Nigeria’s external position had strengthened and that the country’s poverty rate had stabilised for the first time since 2019.
However, improvements in economic indicators do not automatically mean that households have fully recovered from the rising cost of living. Many Nigerians continue to face pressure from food prices, transport costs, housing expenses and other essential needs.
The government has acknowledged that more work is required to ensure economic growth translates into better living standards, decent jobs and lower living costs. It has also highlighted targeted cash transfers, agricultural development and investment in infrastructure as measures intended to support households and expand economic opportunities.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s comments reflect the administration’s position that the difficult reforms are beginning to produce results, while the full benefits will take time to reach citizens.
The effectiveness of the policies will ultimately depend not only on economic growth and stronger public finances, but also on whether they lead to more jobs, improved purchasing power and greater access to essential services.
As the administration continues to defend its economic direction, the challenge remains to translate improvements in national economic indicators into tangible relief for Nigerian households.
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