“Tafawa-Balewa: Tinubu Inherits Struggling Economy, Fighting for Recovery”

Babatunji Wusu –

Dr. Abdul-Jhalil Tafawa-Balewa, a former presidential aspirant with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on Nigerians to show patience with President Bola Tinubu, acknowledging the daunting task he faces in reviving a nation that is nearly bankrupt. Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Sunday, Tafawa-Balewa underscored the immense challenge of steering a country on the brink of collapse and praised Tinubu’s efforts to address the nation’s problems.

However, Tafawa-Balewa also pointed out that significant work remains to be done. He urged President Tinubu to focus on reducing the cost of governance as a crucial step toward economic recovery. By cutting unnecessary expenditures, he believes the government could redirect resources toward national development.

He recommended that Tinubu should bolster his administration with skilled technocrats to effectively execute his development plans. Additionally, Tafawa-Balewa suggested that the current number of ministries—around 48—should be streamlined to minimize excessive spending. “The President needs to adapt to modern times by appointing people who are not only experienced but also familiar with new technologies to manage various ministries,” Tafawa-Balewa said. “We have too many ministries, and we should consider reducing their number to cut down on the funds required to run them.”

Moreover, Tafawa-Balewa stressed the urgent need for improved security to combat kidnappings, insurgency, and other threats that are stifling agricultural productivity. He emphasized that without adequate security, Nigeria cannot enhance food production and highlighted the role of technology in food preservation and distribution.