President Tinubu’s 2 Years Administration: Clerics Bare Their Minds
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, marked two years of his leadership and administration of the country. Opinions of some clerics and church leaders on his performance were sought.
While most clerics commended his leadership and administration for taking bold moves, some criticised the administration’s actions, citing the biting economic hardships and insecurity, including the surge in inflation, financial hardship, high costs of living, unemployment, insecurity, and insurgency.
While the government maintained that its reforms are necessary for long-term recovery, the cleric’s opinion pointed out that many are yet to feel or see the dividends of democracy’s impact.
Assessing the two years of President Tinubu-led administration leadership and performance, Rev. James Fatimiro, a retired CBN Director, now a financial consultant and a farmer, said, the present administration is a government willing to take bold, long-overdue decisions but still grappling with effective execution and citizen communication.
“The Tinubu-led government has demonstrated a strong desire to correct systemic failures and chart a new course. However, the pace of policy impact and responsiveness to public sentiment has been slow. The vision is commendable, but implementation frameworks must be strengthened to deliver real-time results and restore trust in governance”, he said.
Fatimiro expressed mixed feelings on the Renewed Hope Agenda’s impact on Nigerians, stating that many Nigerians are not feeling the effects of the government. The “Renewed Hope” agenda has brought tough reforms, but citizens have yet to experience the relief. “The challenge lies in our collective mindset. There is no progress without enduring the process, and real transformation demands shared sacrifice. However, the government must also bridge the gap between policy intentions and practical relief. Hope must not only be declared, it must be demonstrated in everyday realities”, he added.
In his submission, Dr. Ben Omoregie, the Bishop-elect and General Overseer of Rehoboth Church of Christ Ambassador Worldwide, said, It has been a good time so far, both at the federal and state levels. However, to the layman, it is confusing because he lacks statistics to verify the reality. Inflation is high, and citizens are under its weight; economic reforms and policies should be considered. The leadership should remain focused. Nigeria is a large country, and people may not understand the progress being made, but we are advancing gradually.
Speaking on the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Omoregie said Nigerians are being positively impacted, but more still needs to be done to reach the larger population. For one and a half years, insurgency and terrorism were reduced, but recently they rose again; the willpower that reduced them should be strengthened to improve security. Looking at the dual road projects, like the coastal road and the others going on around the country, they are plausible. The foreign exchange market is stable, petrol pump prices have reduced, and education is taking priority.
Calling for governance improvement, Omoregie highlighted areas this administration needs to improve and fix. For many years, the country has experienced poor governance, and this administration must improve the electricity supply, economic planning, telecommunications and banking sector reform, as well as reduce the cost of governance at all levels.
Speaking on his expectations for the next two years, he said, I expect this administration to be focused on good governance for a better country and its citizens. They should ensure that ongoing projects are completed in time and that infrastructure is put in place. The issue of terrorism and herdsmen activities should be stopped.
Dr. Ben Omoregie appealed to Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu’s administration, assuring that with time, things will get betterbe alright. He charged the government at all levels to work for the electorate, feeling the beauty of their choice and representation.
He called on the government to balance long-term economic reforms with immediate social interventions. Listening more to citizen feedback, ensuring accountability and fast-tracking impactful interventions will build trust and ease the burden on the average Nigerian. “While macroeconomic policies are crucial, their benefits should translate into everyday relief. Nigerians need visible, short-term wins -affordable living, access to quality services, and jobs”, Omoregie Omoregieadvised.
InIn the next two years of this administration, I expect to see deliberate efforts to transform economic policies into gains, affordable food, stable power supply, sustainable infrastructure, and job creation. The other tier of government should be held accountable and more active. Dialogue with citizens should be improved. As power remains central to economic recovery and industrial development, energy reform must be prioritised. “After two years of sowing, it is time to start showing visible, impactful, and inclusive harvests”, he charged.
Dr. Omoregie appealed to Nigerians to be patient, prayerful, and proactive. Demand performance not only from the federal government but also from local and state authorities. Seek opportunities and contribute to national development. He admonished the government to communicate better, be more responsive, and let reforms be people-focused.
Expressing her disappointment, Pastor (Mrs) Juliet Okeowo, a mother, counselor, business merchant and Senior Pastor of Kingdom Expansion Ministry Int’l, Ibadan, said, I can’t lie to you, from the onset I had no hope in this government, I am not surprised at whatever they do or is happening because I have never had expectations about them as a government. Left to me, they have done nothing and they will do nothing.
Rev. Dr. Remi Akinrinola, the minister-in-charge of Kajola Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, described President Tinubu’s administration as energetic leadership and reformist for pushing out many reforms that have made the economy experience renewed growth (according to the World Bank, Nigeria had its fastest growth in 10 years in 2024). However, the country still faces high inflation (about 24% in early 2025) and ongoing insecurity. “The results have been a mixed feeling with growth on one hand and persistent hardship on the other hand”, he said.
He commended the government for programmes like the new Student Loan Scheme (NELFUND) under its “Renewed Hope” agenda as signs of positive change. “However, many Nigerians still feel little of this hope, there are complaints of hunger, high prices of commodities and insecurity. “Renewed Hope Agenda” feels empty when daily life remains hard”, Rev. Akinrinola stated.
He called for prioritising the economy, especially in areas of inflation, job creation, and reducing the cost of living. Also, security requires critical attention with kidnapping, banditry and insurgent attacks on people in hundreds. Education and public services should be considered for improvement to ensure school programmes are run smoothly, with NELFUND and TETFUND being managed.
Reacting to expectations in the next two years, Akinrinola expect the reforms to result in more jobs, cheaper food and better security. “Nigerians are looking for changes in lower prices of commodities, reliable electricity, good roads, and a safe society to believe in the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda”, he said.
Rev. Akinrinola admonished leaders in every area of governance to serve the interests of the people and their welfare. To compassionately fight corruption and keep the promise to “improve the lives of every Nigerian” in fairness. They should also have the fear of God because the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
Rev. Eric Ighalo, a financial planning and investment counsellor and an advocate for holistic development and investment, in his assessment, gave Tinubu’s administration a pass mark of 60% for bold initiatives, decision-making and capacity for negotiating often win-win positions.
He described the appointments of largely square pegs in square holes as a far cry from the previous administration and the external relationship in the Global space with the “Nigeria is ready for Biz” mantra.
This administration met a deep setback, a divisive hole left by the last administration and would first need time to fill that hole and move forward. The filling is not yet completed, but significant progress is being made.
“While I understand that some of these (what I call chess moves) have larger implications in Political manoeuvres for 2027, they have a positive impact on the economy. We have seen Naira stability, foreign debt reduction, gradual reduction in fuel pricing and food prices, new tax reform policy, almost an independence of local govt operations, and they are all still just beginning”, he said.
Reflecting on the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda on Nigerians, Rev. Ighalo said, There’s no impact on Nigerians yet. “Though, there are myriads of new, revamped or old initiatives; the various youth empowerment programmes, focus on the agric sector and MSME, restructuring of our National Security network, the recent NNPC shakeups, local government autonomy issues and others. But it will take a minimum of two years for a visible impact to be seen and measured”, he declared.
He challenged the religious communities. Everything cannot be the government; faith communities have a lot to do in times like these. Life is hard, and hunger is in the land, but the question is, how is the Nigerian Church responding to hunger and food insecurity? How can we be our brothers and sisters’ keepers in these hard times? Must we always wait for the government?, Rev Ighalo asked rhetorically.
Lamenting on the current security situation, Ighalo said, no doubt, the issue of security and the fast-growing perception of an unfolding dictatorship rule that tolerates neither a free press nor opposition of any sort. The recent attacks in Plateau and Venue are becoming one too many.
Measuring how the government can improve, Ighalo advised the government to put in place an Independent National Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework to closely monitor all these Agric, MSME, Youth Empowerment Initiatives and incentive to ensure they are accessed and fully utilised by intended beneficiaries, not civil servants and political exposed persons cronies.
With high expectations in the next two years of this administration, I hope to see the gains of all the initiatives coming from the MDAs, the non performing ministers and fire and replace the old leaders, to see the act of terrorists running around our communities and farms become history. To see the return of made-in-Nigeria quality food, manufactured goods, and a reduction in fuel prices. This will guarantee 2027 to this administration.
Ighalo called for an immediate end to the Emergency Rule. It’s a dark spot in the government’s ability to mediate credibly in a state’s internal challenges and advise this administration to remain focused, ensuring the intended results from all new policy initiatives are delivered.
Rev. Ighalo admonished Nigerians to be more patient, stating that this painful season will run its full course. “In the meantime, let’s be intentional in loving and caring for one another. It is not the government that arbitrarily moves the prices of food and transport, it is not the government that extorts money from us on the road or in offices. It is our people who most likely attend the same churches and mosques. What religious hypocrisy? We need to make what we hear on Friday, Jumat, and on Sunday church service count throughout the week to our fellow Nigerian brothers and Sisters”, he charged.
