Tinubu Says Economic Reforms Are Moving Nigeria Forward, Seeks Stronger Deloitte Partnership

President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s economic reforms, declaring that the measures are laying a solid foundation for Nigeria’s future despite the short-term hardships they have imposed on citizens.

Speaking on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from Deloitte Africa led by its Chief Executive Officer, Ruwayda Redfearn, at the State House in Abuja, the President said the fiscal, revenue and tax reforms introduced by his administration had begun to stabilise the economy and attract growing recognition for improving key economic indicators.

Tinubu acknowledged that the reforms had been difficult but insisted they were yielding results.

“We are following the example of Deloitte’s greatness to change things from the foundation, building the necessary future for our people,” the President was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

“Yes, reforms are difficult. It has not been a McDonald’s customer relationship but a harvester of good things, if implemented well, and that is what we are about.”

He added: “Thank you for your partnership in paying attention to what we are doing here, as we have heard from the Honourable Minister of Finance about the fiscal, revenue and tax reforms that have taken place and are moving the nation forward.

“The reforms on revenue will continue to stimulate growth. And the effect of the reform? Yes, some issues are difficult to take the bitter medicine, but it is working well. For the economy, Nigeria is making serious foundational progress.”

The President maintained that the reforms had strengthened the country’s fiscal and revenue framework, repositioned financial institutions and enhanced Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global economy.

Tinubu also urged Deloitte Africa to deepen its contribution to Nigeria’s development by investing in youth training and employment.

Recalling his early years in the accounting profession, he praised the firm’s training culture, saying, “The family of Deloitte; you just reminded me of my cradle years in accountancy and where I cut my childhood accounting teeth in Chicago. Deloitte has a good training programme, and I believe you will continue to reflect that.”

Also speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, encouraged the global accounting and consulting firm to prioritise capacity building for young Nigerians as part of its engagement with the country.

In her remarks, Deloitte Africa CEO Ruwayda Redfearn reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the Tinubu administration’s reform agenda.

She said Deloitte, which focuses on digital and business transformation, employs more than 500,000 people globally, including over 6,000 across Africa, and recorded $74 billion in revenue in 2025.

“We are before you to say that we want to serve. We have a local team on the ground that is ready, as well as the global firm, to support you and support your administration as you lead the country,” Redfearn said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte West Africa, Yomi Olugbenro, also pledged the firm’s support, saying Nigeria had already laid a strong foundation through the ongoing reforms but needed to ensure that their benefits reached ordinary citizens.

“We do believe that with the capabilities that the firm has all over the world, with the half a million people that our CEO spoke about, we have used cases, examples, experiences of how we supported nations all around the world, so Nigeria will definitely benefit from those experiences.

“So that is why we are here, and we welcome the invitation that you may grant us as to where exactly you want us to support you,” he said.