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Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, were on

Recent criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—particularly by Rauf Aregbesola—invite not only political response but analytical reflection. When a former public official dismisses an ongoing reform programme as a “scam,” the credibility of that claim must be weighed against both empirical developments and the critic’s own administrative record.

In this instance, the critique is as revealing as it is unconvincing. It exposes less about the substance of current reforms and more about the limits of perspective shaped by past governance experience.

Reform as Measurable Reality, Not Rhetorical Promise

The Renewed Hope Agenda, far from being a mere rhetorical construct, has manifested in tangible institutional and sectoral changes. Nowhere is this more evident than in the transformation of the Ministry of Interior under the leadership of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Within a short period, longstanding inefficiencies—particularly in passport administration—have been decisively addressed. A backlog of over 200,000 applications was cleared, automated systems introduced, and opportunities for rent-seeking significantly reduced. Border control systems have been modernized, while correctional services have undergone structural reforms aimed at decongestion and enhanced security.

These are not abstract claims; they are measurable administrative outcomes. To dismiss them outright is to disregard verifiable institutional change.

The Problem of Administrative Memory

Criticism, to be meaningful, must be grounded in institutional awareness. When Rauf Aregbesola previously acknowledged limited familiarity with the Ministry of Interior upon assuming office, it raised legitimate concerns about the depth of administrative preparedness at the time. The subsequent performance of that ministry—marked by systemic inefficiencies and recurring security lapses—only reinforced those concerns.

It is therefore difficult to separate current criticisms from the legacy of that period. A reform that fundamentally restructures a system may appear invisible to those who never fully grasped its dysfunction in the first place.

Infrastructure and the Politics of Denial

Beyond institutional reform, the Renewed Hope Agenda has prioritized large-scale infrastructure as a driver of economic recovery and integration. Projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry corridor reflect a strategic commitment to long-term national connectivity.

Simultaneously, critical road networks—including the Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, and Onitsha-Enugu corridors—are undergoing reconstruction, alongside improvements in the East-West Road and key arteries within the Federal Capital Territory.

To characterize these developments as illusory is not a critique; it is a denial of observable reality. Infrastructure, by its nature, is visible, measurable, and economically consequential.

Social Investment and Human Capital

The administration’s interventions in education further complicate the “scam” narrative. Financial support mechanisms that have benefited over a million students, alongside renewed investment in tertiary institutions, signal a deliberate effort to address long-standing barriers to human capital development.

At a time when access to education is directly tied to economic mobility, such policies represent more than welfare—they are structural investments in national capacity.

Fiscal Stabilization and Subnational Relief

Perhaps one of the less publicly dramatized but most consequential achievements of the current administration is fiscal stabilization at the subnational level. Prior to 2023, a majority of states struggled to meet basic salary obligations without federal intervention. Today, improved revenue flows—driven in part by difficult but necessary reforms—have significantly eased that burden.

This shift underscores a central principle of economic reform: sustainability often requires short-term adjustment for long-term stability.

Macroeconomic Recovery and Structural Reform

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, Nigeria faced severe fiscal and external constraints, including critically low net foreign reserves. Since then, reserves have strengthened considerably, while oil production has rebounded from historically low levels.

Equally important are reforms in the energy sector, including the settlement of legacy debts and ongoing investments in transmission infrastructure and gas distribution networks. These are foundational steps toward restoring confidence in critical sectors of the economy.

Aviation and the Logic of Scale

Reforms in the aviation sector further illustrate the administration’s broader economic ambition. Revenue growth within the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria reflects improved operational efficiency, while ongoing upgrades to major airports signal a shift from maintenance culture to expansionary vision.

The comparison with global aviation hubs is instructive—not as a measure of current parity, but as an indication of direction. Economic transformation at scale requires infrastructure that aligns with global standards, and aviation is central to that objective.

Reform, Time, and Political Judgment

A recurring critique from opposition voices is that reforms have yet to eliminate poverty. While this concern is valid, it overlooks a fundamental reality of economic transformation: structural reform is inherently gradual.

Historical precedents—from Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew to other emerging economies—demonstrate that meaningful change unfolds over years, not months. The expectation of immediate outcomes often reflects political impatience rather than economic understanding.

Conclusion: Between Critique and Credibility

The characterization of the Renewed Hope Agenda as a “scam” ultimately collapses under the weight of evidence. What emerges instead is a pattern of reform—imperfect, evolving, but undeniably substantive.

This is not to suggest that the administration is beyond criticism. Rather, it is to insist that critique must be grounded in fact, proportion, and institutional awareness. When measured against these standards, the ongoing reforms under President Tinubu reflect a serious attempt to confront structural challenges that have accumulated over decades.

In this context, the more appropriate question is not whether reform is occurring, but whether it is being adequately recognized—and by whom.

Kayode Akinmade: Defending the Renewed Hope Agenda: Reform, memory, and the burden of perspective

A major political shift unfolded in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State on Friday as Olóyè Ambassador Ademọla Oyepeju Ara formally declared his

Operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team, CP-SAT, have recovered one pump-action gun with three rounds of live cartridges abandoned at Ekiugbo, Ughelli North Local Government Area.

The operatives made the recovery at about 20:45hrs yesterday.

The Delta State Police Command led by CP Yemi Oyeniyi confirmed the report in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe.

The said, “At about 2045hrs, operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), acting on credible intelligence, recovered one pump-action gun with three rounds of live cartridges abandoned at the Ekigbo area of Ughelli.

“The recovery is connected to an earlier case in which three suspects have been arrested, charged to court, and remanded in prison custody for the murder of one Alex Adanike, which occurred on 15 January 2026 in Ughelli.”

According to SP Edafe,”Further intelligence revealed that one Eddy Onose, male, who is currently at large, was in possession of the firearm before abandoning it upon realising he was being trailed.

“The suspect is also linked to the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as “ARO BAGGAR”.

“Efforts are ongoing, in collaboration with local vigilante groups, to apprehend the fleeing suspect and recover additional evidence.”

Police recover guns, others in Delta Community

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has said it is sad and unfortunate that President Bola Tinubu and his government could take the country to what he describes as ‘this inglorious path’ after what they all sacrificed to bring the All Progressives Congress, APC to power.

Eze also commended the leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC and every well meaning Nigerian who has lend a voice against the alleged coordinated, undue interference by the Tinubu government in the affairs of opposition political parties in an effort to obliterate their strength and establish a one-party system in Nigeria.

In a statement made available to the media, Chief Eze said the alleged efforts by the President to have a smooth sail in the 2027 election and return to power unchallenged will be strongly resisted by the sheer determination of Nigerians who have shown a deep sense of patriotism by standing up to reject a scheme by the President to foist himself on the country for a second term.

Eze commended the Lagos Chapter of ADC for their ongoing protest against what he called an evil system and urged the ADC leadership to sustain the protest to last a longer period for the message from Nigerians for a free and credible poll sinks in the brain of thos at the helm of affairs of INEC.

“I suggest that this protest should not be a one or two days action but should be carried out on daily basis until Tinubu sees reasons to call himself to order.

“After all it was Tinubu who taught Nigerians this strategy and it helped to push PDP out of power and we will use it to rescue Nigeria from his devious hands.”

Eze urged Nigerians to unite with the ADC in this mission of rescuing our nation from the APC Government that has brought unprecedented and untold hardship to all and sundry.

“Shamefully Tinubu is more concerned about how he will turn himself to Paul Biya of Cameron, perpetuating himself in power regardless of his zero impact in leadership who has reduced the country in all ratings,” he said.

“It is sad and unfortunate that Tinubu and his government could take us to this inglorious path after what we all sacrificed to bring APC to power.”

Eze called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in their determination to bring to an end the sufferings brought upon the country by the Bola Tinubu administration.

ADC: Tinubu more concerned about turning himself to Paul Biya – Eze

The Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its crackdown on petroleum smuggling as it conducted a public auction of 43,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intercepted along the Niger/Kwara axis. Speaking with journalists and stakeholders at the Kwara Area Command in Ilorin on Wednesday, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, said the […]

The Federal Government has advised developing nations to adopt proactive measures that will cushion the impact of global economic shocks on their economies. Speaking during the G24 news conference held on the sidelines of the ongoing International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington, D.C., the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, […]

The Ogun State House of Assembly has screened the nominees of Governor Dapo Abiodun for appointment into the State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), charging them to deliver more credible future elections at the the local government level.

The nominees screened included Mr. Babatunde Adetona Osibodu, Mr. Tunji Akoni, Mr. Ayodele Bankole, Mrs. Gbemisola Onasanya and Mrs. Oluwaremilekun Olaopa.

Presiding over the screening held on Wednesday at the Assembly Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, the Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, alongside other lawmakers, commended the nominees for their impressive track records; noting that the quality of their previous service in the commission was well acknowledged.

Elemide urged them to improve on their past performance and address observed shortcomings in previous electoral exercises to ensure a more transparent and credible local government election.

According to the speaker, the nominees needed to draw on the lessons learnt from previous elections conducted and strive for electoral reforms that would ensure rancour free elections in the State.

Responding on behalf of the nominees, the Chairman-designate, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu, a native of Ilisan Remo in Ikenne local government area, appreciated the assembly for the confidence reposed in them and assured that the Commission would build on its past achievements and deliver improved electoral outcomes

Ogun Assembly screens OGSIEC nominees, seeks improvement in conduct of future elections

The Oyo State Government has officially announced the release of the results for the 2025 Confirmation, Promotion, and Advancement Examinations, which were conducted in December 2025. This development was made known by the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, through an official statement issued by her office. According to the statement, the examinations took place […]

Nigerian Army has stepped up its offensive against bandits, recording fresh successes in ongoing clearance operations across