The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has declared that Nigeria is experiencing a level of progress never seen before under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The endorsement comes at a time when debates over the country’s economic reforms continue across different sectors.
Speaking at the inauguration of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement in Abuja on Thursday, the respected traditional ruler praised the President’s leadership. Moreover, he said the ongoing reforms were already producing visible results in governance, the economy, and investment.
The economic reforms have remained a major topic of national discussion. However, the Ooni believes the policies are placing Nigeria on a stronger economic path while improving the country’s standing in the global economy.
According to the monarch, President Tinubu assumed office with a clear vision and a well-prepared agenda for national development.
He said the results were already being felt across both the public and private sectors.
“President Bola Ahmed came very prepared, and the result is obvious. From the public governance and the private sector, what’s happening in this country has never been experienced before. If you go to capital market of Nigeria today, we are getting to a market capitalisation of over N140 trillion. Never in the history of Nigeria,” he said.
Furthermore, the Ooni argued that Nigeria is becoming more influential on the international stage because of the administration’s economic direction.
He added, “Never in the history of our country that Nigeria will play a strategic role in the European economy.”
The monarch also highlighted the country’s improving foreign reserves, describing them as another sign that the government’s economic policies are beginning to strengthen the nation’s financial position.
According to him, “Also, the foreign reserve of this country is now getting to $52 billion. This can finance importation in the next three years conveniently. The projection is there, and clearly the dollar is going to be stabilised, and there won’t be anything to shake our foreign exchange. The disparity is so close.”
In addition, he said the government had reduced opportunities for unfair financial gains while creating room for genuine investment and production.
“No more arbitrage. No more rent-seeking. We are now ready for real production in our country. Look at what he has done to Ajaokuta Steel and the NNPC,” the traditional ruler stated.
Meanwhile, the Ooni expressed confidence that the administration’s reforms would continue to benefit the country in the long term.
He also noted that traditional rulers across Nigeria are proud to identify with President Tinubu’s leadership and development agenda.
Although opinions remain divided on the impact of the reforms, the Ooni maintained that the current administration has achieved milestones that had not been witnessed in Nigeria’s history.
