The Nigerian Presidency has issued a sharp rebuttal to critics and opposition figures who claim the nation has stagnated under the current administration.

In a spirited defense of President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, government officials highlighted Nigeria’s improved standing on the continent, specifically pointing to data that ranks the country as Africa’s second-largest economy by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP).

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, spearheaded the response, labeling opposition narratives as “false and misleading.” Sharing recent economic infographics, Onanuga pointed out that Nigeria, with a GDP-PPP of $2.39 trillion, now trails only Egypt on the continent, outpacing other major economies like South Africa and Algeria. The Presidency argued that these figures serve as a definitive rebuke to politicians who tell their followers that no progress has been made since 2023.

The administration’s defense comes at a time of heightened political debate regarding the impact of aggressive fiscal reforms. While critics have focused on the immediate pain of inflation and the rising cost of living, the Presidency maintains that the “voyage is not easy” but essential. President Tinubu, speaking recently at the State House in Abuja, reaffirmed his commitment to the reform path, stating that no amount of political pressure or “scare tactics” from the opposition would derail his administration’s efforts to fix structural issues within the economy.

Looking ahead, the government expressed optimism for the remainder of 2026, projecting a GDP growth rate of 4.68%. This internal forecast is bolstered by revised outlooks from international bodies like the IMF and World Bank, which have signaled increased confidence in Nigeria’s recovery.

Officials urged Nigerians to embrace “political evangelism” by sharing the administration’s successes in sectors like infrastructure and agriculture, insisting that the foundation for long-term prosperity is now firmly in place.