At the Radio House conference room in Abuja today, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, delivered a comprehensive update on the progress of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Speaking at the first ministerial briefing of 2025—part of an ongoing series launched last year to foster transparent governance—the Minister outlined transformative reforms and strategic projects across key sectors. This initiative, which engaged 25 Ministers in 2024, has played a pivotal role in enhancing government accountability and countering misinformation, reaching millions of citizens both locally and globally.
Minister Idris underscored major fiscal, macroeconomic, and legislative achievements. He highlighted the removal of fuel subsidies, which has saved the nation hundreds of billions of Naira annually, and the introduction of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS), which has contributed significantly to FX stability. These measures, along with other fiscal policies, have cleared billions of dollars in backlogs and increased foreign capital inflows, propelling the Nigerian Stock Exchange from 4% growth in mid-2023 to an average of 16% by the end of 2024. Additionally, substantial investments exceeding US$5 billion have been committed to the oil and gas sector, while the 2024 Electricity Act now empowers State Governments to develop regulated electricity markets.
The Minister detailed various targeted interventions aimed at uplifting different sectors. The Student Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed N32.8 billion to over 169,000 students, easing financial burdens on education. On regional development, the administration has enacted laws to establish Development Commissions in key geopolitical zones and launched specialized institutions such as the Federal University of Environmental Technology in Ogoniland and a Maritime University in Delta State. In healthcare, the government has secured US$1.07 billion in low-cost financing from the World Bank under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (#HOPE) programme, while also introducing subsidies to support cancer patients. Significant investments in modernizing teaching hospitals and federal health centres further demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving healthcare.
Infrastructure development remains a cornerstone of the administration’s agenda. At a recent Federal Executive Council meeting, over N2.5 trillion worth of road projects were approved—a historic milestone. Key initiatives include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, access roads to the Second Niger Bridge, and upgrades to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Other notable projects include road rehabilitations on the Lokoja-Benin and Ado–Ekiti–Igede routes, as well as improvements in the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor. Ongoing work on refineries, dams, and railway constructions further illustrates the administration’s resolve to ensure nationwide development.
On security, Minister Idris highlighted the administration’s significant strides in tackling terrorism and banditry. In 2024, security forces neutralized over 8,000 terrorists and bandits, rescued approximately 8,000 kidnapped victims, and recovered more than 10,000 weapons. The establishment of a Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency further underscores the government’s determination to secure lives and property. Moreover, the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development is set to unlock multi-billion-pound opportunities in agriculture, fostering rural transformation and economic empowerment, particularly for women and youth. Falling grain prices reflect the administration’s proactive approach to food security and economic stability.
Concluding his address, the Minister reiterated the priorities of the 2025 “Budget of Restoration,” which has been increased to N54.2 trillion. This budget focuses on security, infrastructure, education, and healthcare, aligning with President Tinubu’s vision of fostering peace and prosperity. The Minister assured Nigerians that ongoing reforms—including a revamped tax regime and improved fiscal policies—will enhance government efficiency and provide direct economic benefits to citizens through student loans, cash transfers, and business grants. He urged Nigerians to embrace the opportunities ahead, affirming that the nation’s transformation is well underway, with even greater progress on the horizon.
