Post by John Okiyi Kalu (@JOK)

Beyond “Nigerians Are Hungry”: The 2027 Debate Should Be About Policy

One thing conspicuously missing from the conversation about the 2027 presidential election is a serious discussion of policy. The opposition repeatedly tells us, correctly, that Nigerians are hungry. But beyond acknowledging that reality, where is the detailed plan to revive the economy, reduce hardship, create jobs, and sustain sustainable growth?

The truth is that Nigeria desperately needed major economic reforms after years of fiscal deterioration. Any president who succeeded Muhammadu Buhari would have faced difficult choices. With an unsustainable fuel subsidy, multiple exchange rates, mounting debt, declining foreign reserves, and falling oil production, postponing reforms was simply not an option. Economic reforms are rarely painless. Around the world, they typically involve short-term hardship before delivering medium and long-term gains.

Recognising this does not require anyone to support President Tinubu politically. It is simply an acknowledgement that the reforms themselves were necessary. The real debate should therefore be about how they have been implemented. Macroeconomic reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate liberalisation can begin to improve fiscal stability and investor confidence within two to four years, while infrastructure, industrial, governance, and institutional reforms often take much longer to produce widespread benefits. President Tinubu has been in office for only three years.

Where the Tinubu administration deserves its strongest criticism is not for undertaking reforms but for failing to match them with bold governance and anti-corruption measures. High public spending on luxury assets, the perception of waste, weak institutional accountability, and the slow pace of some critical infrastructure projects have undermined public confidence. Nigerians are more willing to endure sacrifice when they see leaders making similar sacrifices.

It is also worth noting that state and local governments have enjoyed unprecedented increases in revenue following these reforms. Some have invested the additional funds in infrastructure and development, while others have squandered the opportunity. That distinction matters. Not every hardship experienced by citizens can fairly be attributed to the Federal Government when many governors have received significantly higher allocations but failed to improve the lives of their people.

As we approach 2027, every serious presidential contender agrees that reforms are necessary. The real question is simple: What would you do differently? Promises to end hardship overnight, restore fuel subsidies, or dramatically strengthen the naira without explaining the economic consequences are not policies; they are campaign slogans.

My position is straightforward. President Tinubu could have implemented these reforms much better, particularly by reducing corruption, cutting the cost of governance, and strengthening public institutions. However, those seeking to replace him owe Nigerians more than criticism. They owe us a comprehensive, credible, and sustainable alternative.

The 2027 election should not be decided by who best describes Nigeria’s problems. It should be decided by who presents the most convincing plan to solve them. Otherwise, many Nigerians may reasonably conclude that, despite his shortcomings, President Tinubu deserves another four years to complete reforms that required considerable political courage to initiate.

Chief John Okiyi Kalu
Public Affairs Analyst
17/07/2026

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