Vice President Kashim Shettima has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, insisting that Nigeria’s economy would have collapsed without the administration’s “far-reaching decisions”, while promising relief from high food prices in the coming weeks.

Shettima also acknowledged that Nigerians had endured difficult economic conditions but argued that the hardship could have been worse had the President failed to take what he described as courageous decisions to reposition the economy.

He spoke at a forum titled “Together Till 2027: An Evening with Original City Boy”, organised by the City Boy Movement in collaboration with the Relax-Tinubu-Is-Fixing-Nigeria Movement, both of which are mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The venue was Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

According to the Vice President, the administration’s reforms had begun to yield results, pointing to economic growth and rising foreign reserves as evidence of an improving outlook.

“The President took those far-reaching decisions. He had the courage of conviction and the knowledge to take those far-reaching decisions that repositioned the Nigerian economy, so that now the economy grew by 4.43 per cent in the last quarter.

“Most importantly, our foreign reserves are now hovering at the level of $60bn,” he said.

Vice President Shettima urged Nigerians to consider the country’s economic trajectory before condemning the administration, arguing that those who had experienced the worst of the crisis would better appreciate the progress made.

“Remember how far we have come. It’s only those who have been in the deepest valley that will appreciate how magnificent it is to be on a mountaintop,” he said.

Taking a swipe at critics of the administration, the Vice President insisted that the President deserved commendation rather than condemnation for the decisions taken to stabilise the economy.

“If the President had not taken those far-reaching decisions, wallahi, I am not talking to you as a politician. I am talking to you as a Nigerian, our economy would have collapsed,” he said.

He added that some critics would have been writing lengthy commentaries on the country’s economic collapse from their homes abroad had the reforms not been implemented.

“I have not mentioned anybody’s name,” he added.

While acknowledging the economic difficulties confronting households, Shettima assured Nigerians that the administration was preparing measures to address the persistent rise in food prices.

“Your Excellency, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the President has to be commended, not demonised.

“Yes, Nigerians have gone through some tough times, but it could have been worse.

“Be reassured that in the coming weeks, the President will come up with robust responses to agricultural challenges, and prices of foodstuff will certainly come down,” he said.

The Vice President also cited investments in infrastructure and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as part of the administration’s efforts to reposition the economy and expand opportunities for young Nigerians.

He urged youths to counter criticism of the government by taking its message to communities across the country.

“I urge the youth of Nigeria. I beseech thee. I implore you to go out to the streets and tell the truth to other Nigerians,” he said.

Shettima had, at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council on October 14, taken aim at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi over their economic proposals.

Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.23 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, compared with 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026.

The bureau also reported that headline inflation declined to 14.63 per cent in September 2026 from 15.39 per cent in August, and 20.98 per cent in September 2025. Food inflation, however, stood at 19.59 per cent.

Central Bank of Nigeria data put the country’s external reserves at $55.07bn as of October 9.

The City Boy Movement, led by its Director-General, Francis Shoga, unveiled a nationwide mobilisation campaign for Tinubu’s re-election on June 11, when Shettima received its leaders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Minister of Youth Development said the movement had representatives across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The APC is scheduled to flag off its presidential campaign in Kaduna on October 24, ahead of the presidential election slated for January 16, 2027.