By Bamidele Atoyebi

‎The current administration has embarked on a journey of structural rebirth, marked by series of bold, often debated, but undeniably transformative policy shifts. At the heart of this "Renewed Hope" agenda is a commitment to dismantling long-standing economic inefficiencies while building a foundation for sustainable growth. From breaking decades-old production records to redefining the relationship between the federal and local governments, the nation is witnessing a period of intense reformist energy.

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‎In the energy sector, Nigeria has achieved a milestone that has eluded the country for over a generation through the revitalized efforts of the national oil company. In December 2025, NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL) reached a record output of 355,000 barrels of oil per day, marking the highest daily production level since 1989. This 36-year record is not merely a statistical victory; it represents a paradigm shift in technical efficiency and a renewed capacity to fund national development.

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‎Similarly, the administration has revitalized international relations, specifically with the United Kingdom, reaching diplomatic and economic heights not seen in nearly four decades. This engagement was most recently highlighted on March 18, 2026, as President Tinubu arrived in the UK for a historic two-day State Visit at the invitation of King Charles III. These UK-Nigeria records reflect a renewed confidence from the global community, opening doors for increased foreign direct investment and bilateral cooperation in technology, security, and trade.

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‎Domestically, one of the most significant constitutional victories has been the advancement of Local Government autonomy. For years, the third tier of government laid prostrate and often overshadowed by state administrations, but recent legal and policy enforcements have aimed to restore their financial independence. By ensuring that resources reach the grassroots directly, the administration is empowering local leaders to address the immediate needs of their communities, from rural roads to primary healthcare.

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‎The economic landscape has also been fundamentally reshaped by the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira.

While these moves have introduced immediate cost-of-living challenges, they were designed to end a cycle of systemic waste and currency arbitrage that drained the national treasury for decades. By allowing market forces to determine value, the government aims to create a more transparent and attractive environment for investors while redirecting trillions of Naira toward public infrastructure.

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‎To complement these fiscal shifts, a comprehensive Tax Reform Bill has been introduced to modernize the nation’s revenue collection system. Rather than simply increasing the burden on citizens, the reform focuses on simplifying the tax code, broadening the tax base, and ensuring that the wealthy and large corporations contribute their fair share. This move is essential for reducing the nation’s budget deficit and funding the ambitious social programs currently being rolled out.

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‎The administration has also prioritized industrial harmony in the education sector, specifically through the implementation of the FG-ASUU signed agreement. Historically, Nigeria’s university system was defined by push and start kind of instability, with students losing years to industrial actions: the nation endured 541 days of strikes under the Obasanjo era, 127 days during Yar'Adua's tenure, and 359 days under the Jonathan administration. The crisis peaked recently with between 580 and 630 days lost during the Buhari years. In stark contrast, the current administration has maintained a record of zero full-scale strike days, ensuring that campuses remain open and academic calendars remain uninterrupted.

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‎Welfare reforms have been extended to the broader public service through the introduction of life gratuity for civil servants. This policy ensures that those who dedicate their lives to the service of the state are met with dignity and financial security upon retirement. By providing a guaranteed safety net, the administration is not only rewarding hard work but also incentivizing honesty and dedication within the bureaucratic machinery of the country. This is arguably the best anti-corruption move since it guarantees good life after active service. It was said that fear of attending to personal and family needs push civil servants into corrupt practices but the Tinubu's move aims to nip corruption among civil servants in the bud.

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‎Academics have been granted a similar level of security through the establishment of a life pension for lecturers. This move acknowledges the unique contribution of the professorate in shaping the minds of future leaders and ensures that retired scholars can continue to contribute to the intellectual life of the nation without the fear of financial instability. It is a landmark achievement in the quest to make the teaching profession more attractive and respected.

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‎To ensure that the next generation of leaders can access this world-class education, the Students Loan scheme has been successfully launched. This initiative removes the financial barriers and burdens that have historically prevented brilliant students from humble backgrounds from pursuing higher degrees. By providing interest-free loans for tuition and upkeep, the administration is democratizing access to knowledge and ensuring that merit, not wealth, determines a student's future.

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‎Parallel to student support, the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF) has been established to provide a dedicated welfare cushion for university employees. This fund, alongside a broader Lecturer Loan scheme, assists academic and non-academic staff with professional development and personal welfare needs. This dual-pronged approach to educational financing ensures that both the "learners" and the "teachers" have the financial tools necessary to succeed, reflecting a holistic understanding of the education ecosystem.

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‎A critical pillar of national stability has been the administration's unprecedented commitment to the men and women in uniform. Recognizing the sacrifices made by security personnel, the government has approved significant salary increments across the military, police, and paramilitary agencies. With increases ranging from 25% to 35% under new consolidated structures, and recent March 2026 approvals specifically targeting the welfare and morale of the Armed Forces, the administration is ensuring that those who protect the nation are themselves protected by a grateful state.

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‎Finally, the administration is modernizing the energy and financial sectors through the NNPC Executive Orders and the introduction of consumer credit via the Credit Corp. Initiatives like the "Fly Now, Pay Later" scheme are introducing a credit culture that allows citizens to manage their expenses more flexibly while stimulating the aviation and travel industries. Combined with the streamlining of the national oil company and the massive Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, these moves show an administration determined to bring Nigeria into the 21st-century global economic fold. As these structural foundations are laid, a pressing question begins to emerge: when the curtain eventually falls on this era of radical reform, who will be capable of filling such massive gap and step into these big Asiwaju shoes in 2031?

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Bamidele Atoyebi is the Convener of BAT Ideological Group, National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring and a publisher at Unfiltered and Mining Reporting