President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigeria’s economy is gradually becoming stronger despite the difficulties that came with the economic reforms introduced by his administration. According to the President, the changes made over the past three years are laying a solid foundation for long-term economic growth and stability.
Tinubu made this statement on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from Deloitte Africa at the State House in Abuja. The team was led by the company’s Chief Executive Officer for Africa, Ruwayda Redfearn. Also present at the meeting were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji.
Speaking during the meeting, President Tinubu admitted that the reforms have not been easy for many Nigerians. However, he explained that major economic changes often require sacrifice before positive results can be achieved. He compared the process to taking bitter medicine, saying it may be unpleasant at first but eventually brings healing and improvement.
The President said his administration remains committed to strengthening the country’s revenue system and improving public finances. He added that the reforms are already helping to boost economic growth, improve financial institutions, and make Nigeria more competitive in the global economy. According to him, the country is making important progress that will support future development.
Tinubu also spoke about his early career in accounting, recalling that he received professional training connected to Deloitte during his time in Chicago. He praised the firm’s reputation for developing skilled professionals and encouraged the company to continue investing in training and education.
The President urged Deloitte Africa to expand its presence in Nigeria by creating more opportunities for young people. He said providing training, employment, and skills development for Nigerian youths would help build the human capital needed for the country’s long-term success and economic competitiveness.
In her remarks, Deloitte Africa CEO Ruwayda Redfearn expressed the firm’s willingness to work closely with the Nigerian government. She said Deloitte has over 500,000 employees worldwide, including more than 6,000 across Africa, and generated about $74 billion in revenue in 2025. She assured the President that both the company’s Nigerian team and its global experts are ready to support the government’s development plans.
The Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte West Africa, Yomi Olugbenro, also praised the administration’s reform efforts. He said the government has created a strong foundation for economic growth but noted that the next challenge is ensuring that ordinary Nigerians benefit from the changes.
Olugbenro explained that economic reforms should lead to better living conditions, improved public services, and more opportunities for citizens. He stressed that the real success of the reforms would be measured by how much they improve the daily lives of Nigerians.
He further stated that Deloitte has supported several countries around the world with economic transformation projects and is prepared to bring that experience to Nigeria. According to him, the company is ready to work with the government wherever its expertise is needed.
Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele also highlighted the positive impact of the administration’s economic reforms. He encouraged Deloitte to focus on helping young Nigerians develop valuable skills, describing youth empowerment as one of the most important investments for the country’s future.
The meeting ended with both the Nigerian government and Deloitte Africa expressing confidence that continued collaboration, strong economic reforms, and investment in young people will help drive sustainable growth and deliver greater benefits to Nigerians in the years ahead.
