The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, says increased revenue accruing to state and local governments has created opportunities for infrastructure development and improved public services across the country.
Udeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), attributed the development to economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the policies were beginning to yield results despite persistent inflation and hardship.
In an interview, the minister said the reforms had started repositioning the economy for sustainable growth, although their full benefits were yet to be felt by many Nigerians.
“Mr President is still in his first term and has started reforms that are beginning to make a positive impact in the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
“It is not yet fully realised, but you can even tell that we are no longer as bad as we were in 2023, 2024.”
Udeh cited fuel subsidy removal and local government autonomy among the measures he said were creating opportunities for development. He also claimed that Nigeria’s economic growth had risen from about two per cent in 2023 to approximately four per cent.
Acknowledging that the economic situation remained difficult for many households, the minister maintained that the country was moving towards recovery.
“We know that there's inflation. We also know that there's still hardship. But we know that Nigeria has been put on track for development to come out from economic hardship,” he said.
Udeh pointed to Enugu State as an example of how increased revenue could support development, citing projects in infrastructure and transportation under the state government.
He said the state was also positioning itself as a major conference destination, adding that improved resources had given governors and local government authorities greater capacity to address the needs of residents.
The minister also weighed in on arguments over which region should produce Nigeria’s president in 2027, following calls for power to shift from the South-West to other parts of the South, particularly the South-East.
He said politicians would naturally advance arguments in favour of their preferred candidates and parties, but insisted that the final decision rested with voters.
“Everybody that is interested would project an argument that will favour his candidacy, or her candidacy, or her party,” he said. “But at the end, it is Nigerians that will vote.”
Udeh urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, expressing confidence that a second term would bring further development to the country.
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