Nigerians may have to wait up to three years before experiencing the full benefits of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, according to business leader and politician Tonye Cole.
Cole, speaking during a television interview, said while policy changes may already be yielding results at the macroeconomic level, their impact on ordinary citizens will take more time to materialise.
“If you allow things to just move naturally… you are going to look for another two to three years before you see it,” he said, referring to when the effects would reach “the very bottom” of society.
Cole added that governments must deliberately invest in broad-based welfare programmes to ensure that economic gains are widely distributed, arguing that Nigeria has struggled to effectively reach its large population.
Despite current hardships, he expressed optimism about Nigeria’s long-term economic outlook, citing growing investor confidence driven by ongoing Bola Tinubu’s reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification and tax changes.
On Rivers State politics, Cole described the situation as “deeply confused,” alleging that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has faced challenges in asserting leadership. He added that while the governor initially enjoyed public sympathy, many residents are becoming disillusioned.
Looking ahead to 2027, Cole said voters in the state are increasingly open to change, noting that credible and violence-free elections could significantly reshape the political landscape.
