The Presidency has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s achievements in his first two years in office have outperformed those recorded during the eight-year administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007) under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, made the assertion in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
Bwala argued that while the PDP under Obasanjo benefited from favourable global conditions — including foreign debt forgiveness, high oil output, and international goodwill following Nigeria’s return to democracy — President Tinubu has governed under far tougher economic and political circumstances.
According to him, Tinubu inherited significant foreign debt obligations, reduced oil production levels, and no comparable global sympathy or financial support. He also noted that the president assumed office amid heightened insecurity, which he claims has been “significantly degraded” over the past two years.
Bwala further alleged that economic mismanagement during the PDP era created a reluctance in subsequent governments to implement difficult but necessary reforms. He said President Tinubu “confronted these challenges head-on,” taking bold decisions that have “put the economy on a recovery path.”
In his statement, Bwala outlined what he described as key contrasts between the two administrations:
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Debt: “From 1999–2007, Nigeria’s foreign debts were forgiven. In Tinubu’s case, he has had to pay them.”
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Oil Output: “Oil production during Obasanjo’s tenure was far higher than what Tinubu has had to contend with.”
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International Support: “Obasanjo’s era enjoyed global sympathy and aid after military rule, while Tinubu has had to prove himself without such goodwill.”
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Security: “Nigeria was more stable in 1999, but Tinubu inherited a heightened insecurity situation, which has since been degraded, showing a path to ending it.”
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Economic Reform: “Past mismanagement left leaders hesitant to take tough decisions. Tinubu took those decisions, and the economy is now on a recovery track.”
The Presidency’s comments come amid ongoing debates about the government’s handling of the economy, reforms, and security challenges.