Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has defended the Federal Government’s economic reforms, arguing that they are helping to improve Nigeria’s economic performance and create a more favourable environment for business.
Kalu made the remarks while participating in the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tanzania, where lawmakers from different countries gathered to discuss governance, inclusion, public trust and opportunities for citizens.
Speaking against the assembly’s theme, “Enhancing Good Governance and Empowering Communities Through Inclusivity, Trust and Opportunities for All,” the deputy speaker said Nigeria had recorded improvements in key economic indicators under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He pointed to stronger economic performance in the second quarter of 2026 and a continuing easing of inflation as signs that the government’s reform agenda was beginning to produce results.
Kalu also referred to developments in the country’s external reserves and the business environment, arguing that the gains could help strengthen economic confidence and support investment.
However, he stressed that improved headline indicators must translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians, particularly through better access to food, more employment opportunities and stronger economic participation.
His remarks touch on one of the central questions surrounding the administration’s economic policies: whether macroeconomic improvements can deliver relief to households that continue to face high living costs.
Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu’s administration has introduced major changes to the economy, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market. The government has defended the measures as necessary to address structural weaknesses and improve the country’s fiscal position.
The reforms have also generated significant public debate because of their effects on transport costs, food prices and household purchasing power.
For businesses, a more predictable foreign exchange environment and improved macroeconomic stability could support planning and investment. Yet companies still face challenges associated with financing costs, energy expenses, logistics and consumer demand.
The deputy speaker’s emphasis on jobs and food security therefore places attention on the next stage of the reform process: ensuring that improvements in economic aggregates are accompanied by productive activity and a broader distribution of benefits.
Nigeria’s development prospects will depend not only on the direction of inflation or the size of external reserves, but also on whether businesses expand, workers find stable employment and households experience a sustained improvement in real incomes.
Kalu’s intervention also highlights the role of parliamentarians in explaining government policies and assessing their consequences. For public confidence to strengthen, economic progress must be demonstrated through credible data and improvements that citizens can experience in their daily lives.
The administration’s continuing challenge is to show that the reforms can deliver both greater macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth, particularly for low-income households and young Nigerians seeking work.