By Chesa Chesa
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and Convener of APC Professionals Forum, Isa Yuguda, have backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambition to build a $1 trillion Nigerian economy by 2030, saying his administration’s economic reforms are laying the foundation for sustainable growth and prosperity.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, stated this Tuesday while representing President Tinubu at the second edition of the Asiwaju Scorecard Series/Policy Roundtable organised by the APC Professionals Forum.
Yilwatda said Nigeria had inherited serious economic challenges in 2023, including fuel subsidy distortions, foreign exchange shortages, weak revenue mobilisation and rising debt pressures.
He said reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms were beginning to yield results, citing $52.7 billion in external reserves, 4.43 per cent GDP growth in Q2 2026 and inflation of about 15.4 per cent.
He said the $1 trillion target required massive investment in infrastructure, energy, maritime logistics, manufacturing, agriculture and human capital.
Yilwatda proposed an integrated maritime and logistics corridor linking major deep-sea ports and connecting them to Nigeria’s hinterland and neighbouring countries.
He stressed that macroeconomic stability must translate into cheaper food, more jobs, affordable credit, reliable electricity and stronger purchasing power.
Also speaking, Chairman of the APC Professionals Forum Board of Trustees, Dr Isa Yuguda, defended the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the old regime was plagued by fraud, leakages and inefficiency.
Yuguda, a former Aviation Minister and ex-Governor of Bauchi State, who chaired the 2009 Fuel Subsidy Task Force, said more than N15 trillion had reportedly been saved since the subsidy was removed.
He cautioned Nigerians against promises to restore subsidy ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that such a move could reverse the fiscal gains achieved by the government.
Both speakers urged Nigerians to support the administration’s reforms and evaluate political parties ahead of 2027 based on policies, achievements and realistic solutions.
