By Emman Usman Shehu
When Bola Ahmed Tinubu ascended to Nigeria’s presidency in May 2023, he carried the weight of a reputation forged in the crucible of Lagos politics—a master strategist, a reformist governor, and a relentless critic of the nation’s past leaders. For decades, Tinubu wielded his sharp tongue against the administrations of Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and even his ally Muhammadu Buhari, lambasting them for economic mismanagement, unchecked corruption, faltering governance, and failure to secure the nation.
His critiques were not mere political posturing; they were a litmus test, a yardstick by which he invited Nigerians to measure leadership. Two years into his presidency, however, Tinubu’s own record is a bitter irony—a mirror reflecting the very failures he once decried. His “Renewed Hope” agenda, once a beacon of promise, now flickers under the weight of economic turmoil, persistent insecurity, and governance that teeters on the edge of authoritarianism.
Economic Mismanagement: A Voodoo Legacy Reborn
Tinubu’s scathing rebuke of Goodluck Jonathan’s “voodoo statistics of illusory growth” now haunts his own tenure. His bold decision to remove fuel subsidies on inauguration day in 2023, followed by the unification of the naira’s exchange rate, was sold as a necessary shock to stabilize Nigeria’s fiscal house. Yet, the aftermath has been catastrophic for ordinary Nigerians. Fuel prices have skyrocketed from N198 to over N1,000 per liter, triggering a cascade of inflation that hit 34.8% by December 2024. Food prices have soared—local rice jumped 152% in a year—while poverty levels have climbed, with 75.5% of rural Nigerians now living below the poverty line. Tinubu once criticized Jonathan for economic policies that widened the gap between rich and poor; today, his own reforms have deepened that chasm, leaving millions priced out of necessities. The absence of robust social safety nets—a failure he once pinned on others—has left Nigerians grappling with hardship, with palliative measures like cash transfers and wage hikes proving inadequate and poorly executed.
Tinubu’s defenders point to modest gains: a projected 4.17% economic growth for 2025 and foreign exchange reserves rising to $38.05 billion by September 2024. But these figures ring hollow when the naira’s value has plummeted to N1,586 per dollar, and inflation, despite a rebased drop to 24.48% in January 2025, remains punishingly high. The Central Bank’s aggressive rate hikes to 27.5% by November 2024 have choked businesses, with borrowing costs soaring to 35-40%, stifling investment and job creation. Tinubu’s campaign promise to depart from Buhari’s economic missteps, particularly the reckless printing of money, now feels like a cruel jest as his administration’s policies have failed to translate macroeconomic maneuvers into tangible relief for Nigerians.
Corruption: A Shadow Uncast
Tinubu’s fiery accusations against Jonathan’s “robber government” set a high bar for his own anti-corruption credentials. Yet, his presidency has been dogged by allegations that cast a long shadow over his moral authority. The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) ranked him as the third most corrupt leader globally, a stinging indictment that underscores Nigeria’s persistent governance challenges. While Tinubu has suspended officials, such as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs over corruption allegations, these actions feel performative when weighed against perceptions of favoritism in federal appointments. Critics point to a concentration of power among a select group, raising specters of nepotism that Tinubu once decried in others. The lack of comprehensive anti-corruption reforms—another of his own benchmarks—leaves Nigeria vulnerable to the same pillaging he once condemned.
Governance: The Authoritarian Drift
As Lagos governor, Tinubu championed federalism and local government autonomy, fiercely resisting Obasanjo’s overreach. Yet, his presidency has veered toward centralization, with actions that undermine the democratic principles he once espoused. The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor and state parliament, has raised alarms about authoritarian tendencies. The banning of a critical song by artist Eedris Abdulkareem, citing “public decency,” smacks of censorship, echoing the repressive tactics Tinubu criticized in past regimes.
The recent closure of an FM station in Niger State has raised significant concerns about the state of press freedom and democratic governance in Nigeria. While specific details about President Bola Tinubu’s direct involvement in this incident are limited, the broader context suggests a pattern of actions that may indicate an authoritarian drift in his administration.
Additionally, there have been concerns about the administration’s commitment to multiparty democracy. In April 2025, a coalition of activists and academics accused President Tinubu’s government of systematically dismantling democratic foundations and moving towards a one-party state. They highlighted the erosion of political pluralism through alleged bribery, blackmail, and coercion.
Furthermore, the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State in March 2025, which led to the suspension of elected officials, was criticized by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum. They described the move as unconstitutional and a threat to democracy, expressing concern over the potential weakening of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
These actions, among others, have led analysts and political figures to express apprehension about the direction of Nigeria’s democracy under President Tinubu. Some have argued that the administration’s approach is steering the country towards authoritarianism, reminiscent of past military regimes.
While the specific details of the FM station closure in Niger State are not fully clear, the broader actions and policies of President Tinubu’s administration have raised alarms about the potential erosion of democratic principles and the rise of authoritarian tendencies
His administration’s perceived elitism—lavish spending and bloated cabinets—further erodes the trust he once demanded from leaders. Tinubu’s own standard of inclusive, transparent governance has been betrayed by policies that alienate the masses and stifle dissent.
Security: A Promise Unfulfilled
Tinubu’s critique of Jonathan’s “lazy and dangerous” security policy was a call for decisive action. Yet, Nigeria’s security landscape under his watch remains a grim tableau of violence. In the Northeast, Boko Haram and ISWAP have resurged, with 48 killed in recent attacks in Adamawa and Borno using drones and explosives. The Middle Belt’s herder-farmer clashes have claimed over 1,000 lives in Plateau State alone, while the Southeast’s IPOB agitation persists amid heavy-handed military responses that yield little peace. Tinubu’s promise to overhaul security architecture has produced scant results, with kidnappings now rampant even in urban centers. His administration’s reliance on force over dialogue mirrors the failures he once attributed to others, leaving Nigerians no safer than before.
A Presidency at a Crossroads
Two years into his tenure, Bola Tinubu stands at a crossroads, judged by the very standards he set. His bold reforms, while rooted in long-term vision, have inflicted immediate pain without the promised relief. The economic hardship, corruption allegations, governance missteps, and security failures are not just policy shortcomings—they are a betrayal of the litmus test Tinubu himself established. Nigerians, who once saw in him a reformer capable of steering Africa’s giant from decline, now grapple with disillusionment.
As the 2027 elections loom, Tinubu must confront the paradox of his presidency: a leader who built his career on critiquing failure now risks becoming its embodiment. Only a radical course correction—one that marries reform with compassion and vision with accountability—can salvage his legacy. For now, the man who promised “Renewed Hope” presides over a nation where hope is increasingly a luxury few can afford.
Dr Shehu is an Abuja-based writer, activist and educator.