Tinubu is a Selfless Reformer Focused on Nigeria's Future, Says Lecturer

Barrister Saifuddeen Coomassie, a lecturer at Baze University in Abuja, has lauded President Bola Tinubu as a selfless reformer dedicated to enacting long-term changes for Nigeria's future, rather than prioritizing short-term political gains.

Coomassie, a vocal supporter of Tinubu's extensive economic reforms, asserted that these measures reveal a leader with a persistent, long-range vision for the nation. He believes Tinubu is willing to endure temporary unpopularity and partisan inconvenience to secure the country's future over his own political standing.

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If President Bola Tinubu was in Aso Rock to chase money or simply to cling to power, he would have taken the easy road. He would have continued the subsidy. He would have kept multiple exchange rates. He would have allowed leakages to continue. But he didn’t. He chose the hard path because he chose Nigeria.

The UK-trained lawyer and academic told reporters in Abuja that Tinubu's decisions to eliminate fuel subsidies, unify foreign exchange rates, and implement tax reforms constitute "the hard path." He suggested these actions reflect a readiness to absorb short-term political pain to reset Nigeria's economy.

"If President Bola Tinubu was in Aso Rock to chase money or simply to cling to power, he would have taken the easy road," Coomassie stated. "He would have continued the subsidy. He would have kept multiple exchange rates. He would have allowed leakages to continue. But he didn’t. He chose the hard path because he chose Nigeria."

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For 20 years, leaders knew subsidy was bleeding Nigeria dry. They knew the exchange rate was distorted. But they kept quiet because elections were coming. Tinubu came and said ‘enough.’

Coomassie characterized the administration's reforms as measures that previous governments avoided to protect their short-term political interests, accusing them of prioritizing election-year expediency over structural solutions. "For 20 years, leaders knew subsidy was bleeding Nigeria dry," he said. "They knew the exchange rate was distorted. But they kept quiet because elections were coming. Tinubu came and said ‘enough.’"

As the 2027 general elections approach, Coomassie encouraged voters to evaluate the President based on the broader arc of reform rather than immediate popularity. He expressed that Tinubu "deserves a second term" to finalize policy shifts that, in his view, will benefit future generations. "You don’t remove subsidy if you want cheap popularity," he added. "You don’t unify forex if you want easy money. You don’t fight corruption if you want to stay in the good books of everyone."

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You don’t remove subsidy if you want cheap popularity. You don’t unify forex if you want easy money. You don’t fight corruption if you want to stay in the good books of everyone.