Tinubu Says North Is Biggest Beneficiary of Economic Reforms as ACF, MBF Disagree

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Northern Nigeria is the biggest beneficiary of his administration’s economic reforms, especially the removal of fuel subsidy.

Speaking at the second edition of the APC Professionals Forum Policy Roundtable, tagged the Asiwaju Scorecard Series, the President said the reforms were difficult but necessary to redirect national resources into productive sectors.

Represented by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Tinubu said his government inherited subsidy distortions, multiple exchange rates, weak revenue and rising debt when it assumed office on May 29 2023.

He highlighted key economic gains. External reserves rose to about $52.7 billion by August 2026. Non-oil revenue grew from ₦13.63 trillion in 2023 to ₦16.4 trillion in the first two quarters of 2026. Merchandise trade surplus jumped to ₦7.54 trillion in Q1 2026, while GDP grew by 4.43 percent in Q2 2026 and inflation eased to 15.4 percent.

The President linked the growth to his $1 trillion economy target for 2030. He cited major projects including the Lagos-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano rail corridor, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Calabar-Maiduguri Trans-Sahara Super Highway, and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline. He also mentioned NELFUND, technical training, and CREDICORP as efforts to turn macro stability into micro prosperity.

“The biggest beneficiaries of this economy will be the Northern part of Nigeria, because they will now be trading with Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, Southern Sudan, Northern Cameroon and Central African Republic. The North is the next business destination of Nigeria,” Tinubu said.

The claim sparked mixed reactions from Northern groups.

The Arewa Consultative Forum and the Middle Belt Forum described the statement as surreal and cynical. ACF spokesman, Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, said it was hard to reconcile with rising poverty, insecurity, poor infrastructure and out-of-school children in the North. MBF President, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, said subsidy removal and CNG policies affect all Nigerians equally and should not be used for political capital.

In contrast, the Northern Christian Association said Tinubu is performing better than former President Muhammadu Buhari. NCA Chairman, Rev. John Hayab, pointed to road projects in Akwanga-Maiduguri, Jos-Jalingo and Kaduna-Birnin Gwari, and new federal institutions in Southern Kaduna as proof of progress.

The debate also extended to 2027 politics. APC warned against reversing the reforms, while ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said restoring fuel subsidy is not negotiable and could form the basis of an opposition coalition.

Former Bauchi Governor, Dr. Isa Yuguda, who chaired the 2009 Fuel Subsidy Task Force, said over ₦15 trillion has been saved from subsidy removal and invested in education and security.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to choose between consolidating the reforms or returning to the old subsidy regime ahead of the 2027 elections.