The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has defended the administration’s reform policies, stating that the current economic adjustments, though challenging, are essential for Nigeria’s long-term stability and growth.
In a statement, Bwala said Nigerians must be honest about the country’s long-standing structural issues, noting that inefficiency, waste, and systemic dysfunction had become normalized over the years.
According to him, the discomfort being experienced following key policy decisions—such as fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms—is part of a necessary transition process.
“Reform is loud, but the problems we lived with for years were even louder—we just got used to them,” he stated, adding that the “noise” in the system reflects efforts to correct deep-rooted economic distortions.
Bwala emphasized that nation-building is inherently demanding, requiring sacrifice, courage, and honesty from citizens and leadership alike. He argued that while reforms may appear harsh in the short term, they remain the only viable path toward sustainable development and shared prosperity.
The presidential aide also criticized opposition figures for failing to provide clear alternatives to the government’s economic policies. He noted that there has been no comprehensive counterproposal on issues such as fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, or the student loan scheme under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
He further took a swipe at previous administrations, suggesting their policies contributed to the current economic challenges facing the country.
