The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) has defended the economic and educational reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, while acknowledging that the government needs more effective communicators to explain its policies to ordinary Nigerians.
One of the official spokespersons for the APC-PCC, Hajia Kemi Asekun-Shittu made this known during an appearance on “First Take,” a political interview programme on Adamimogo 105.1 FM. The programme was syndicated across Lagos, Ibadan, and Ekiti.
Asekun-Shittu cited several key statistics, including the disbursement of $372.62 billion in student loans, the training of over 156,000 beneficiaries under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, and a record N3.52 trillion allocation to education in the 2026 budget. She also noted that over one million out-of-school children have returned to learning through the BESTA programme, while the AGILE programme has reportedly reached 7.19 million girls.
Responding to recent concerns raised by the Emir of Kano regarding the administration’s communication strategy, the APC spokesperson agreed that the government requires more effective voices to translate its policies into relatable terms. She noted that the political communication landscape has evolved, with nearly everyone now possessing a phone, microphone, and camera. She emphasized the need for communicators who can clearly explain how macroeconomic achievements, such as the increase in foreign reserves, directly impact the daily lives of citizens.
Regarding the directive for APC leaders and executives to mobilise supporters for rallies in their respective states, Asekun-Shittu defended the move as a core part of the party’s grassroots mobilisation strategy. She stated that the APC is committed to strengthening its community-level structures, emphasizing that political mobilisation must begin at the grassroots.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Asekun-Shittu revealed the party’s central message: “From Reforms to Prosperity: Renewed Hope 2.0.”
She argued that President Tinubu’s reforms were necessary to correct underlying economic challenges and build a foundation for future prosperity.
Using an agricultural analogy, she explained that the administration had planted long-term economic seeds that are only now beginning to yield results. She highlighted the improvement in foreign reserves, the stabilizing performance of the naira, and Nigeria’s renewed capacity to export refined petroleum products as evidence of progress. She also cited the possibility of university students completing their studies within four years as a positive development in the education sector.
Despite the outlined achievements, the programme’s presenters pressed the spokesperson on whether these macroeconomic gains were translating into tangible relief for ordinary Nigerians, particularly amid rising living costs and the impact of the reforms.
Asekun-Shittu acknowledged that the economic situation has been difficult for citizens. She, however, urged Nigerians to remain patient, insisting that the benefits of the administration’s policies would become more evident in the coming years.
