Shettima: Tinubu Prevented Nigeria From ‘Falling To Pieces’

Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that President Bola Tinubu saved Nigeria from economic collapse, saying the administration inherited a fragile economy with foreign reserves of just $3.9 billion.

Shettima made the statement after meeting with Tinubu at the President’s Lagos residence, following his return to Nigeria from his recent overseas engagements.

The Vice President said he had remained in regular communication with Tinubu during the President’s absence, receiving updates on national developments and discussing key issues with him almost every other day.

According to Shettima, Tinubu’s return means the President is back to active engagement with the affairs of the country and will continue making decisions aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.

Defending the administration’s economic policies, Shettima said Tinubu took difficult but necessary decisions, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the country’s multiple exchange rates.

He said the measures were taken at a time when the economy was “teetering on the verge of collapse,” arguing that the President’s reforms prevented Nigeria from suffering a deeper economic crisis.

“When we assumed the mantle of leadership, our foreign reserves was a staggeringly low $3.9 billion that was not enough to import oil for one month,” Shettima said.

“He saved our economy. He saved the nation from falling to pieces.”

The Vice President acknowledged the hardship caused by the reforms but appealed to Nigerians to remain patient, assuring them that the government was rolling out interventions to cushion the effects of the economic crisis.

“We appreciate the pains Nigerians are going through, but tough times do not last forever. Tough people do,” he said.

Shettima disclosed that the Federal Government would, within the next few weeks, launch an e-logistics programme in the North-East involving 10,600 electric tricycles, alongside 300 electric buses and taxis.

He said the initiatives were designed to reduce transportation costs and ease the burden on citizens in the region.

The Vice President also described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a major intervention for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, saying the scheme was designed to expand access to higher education.

He said the administration remained conscious of the difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians and would continue to introduce programmes aimed at addressing their concerns.

Shettima further acknowledged the growing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections but insisted that governance would remain a priority.

“Politics is in the air, but we will combine politics and governance,” he said.