“Never Again Should Nigeria Return To Egypt–Yilwatda

According to a report by Vanguard, on Friday, November 6, 2026, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has declared that Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy is achievable, citing the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu and their recognition by international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Yilwatda maintained that the policies introduced by the Tinubu administration were creating the foundation for a stronger, more productive and prosperous economy.

He warned that abandoning the ongoing reforms could reverse the progress made in addressing some of the country’s longstanding economic and structural challenges.

The APC chairman made the remarks in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where President Tinubu and members of his entourage attended a political rally at the Senator Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda commended the President for taking steps to address economic difficulties that had affected Nigeria for several years.

He argued that the administration’s decision to confront these challenges demonstrated the type of leadership required to reposition the country for sustainable economic growth and development.

Yilwatda acknowledged that the economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government had resulted in difficult adjustments for Nigerians, particularly as households and businesses continued to navigate the effects of changes in the country’s economic environment.

However, he argued that maintaining the reforms was necessary to achieve long-term economic stability and establish a stronger foundation for national development.

According to the APC chairman, the $1 trillion economy target should not be regarded merely as a political promise or an ambitious declaration by the administration.

Instead, he described it as a national development objective that could be achieved through deliberate policy decisions, sustained economic restructuring and investments in important sectors of the economy.

He maintained that the recognition of Nigeria’s reform efforts by the World Bank and the IMF demonstrated the importance of the policies being implemented by the Tinubu administration.

Yilwatda further argued that the country needed consistency in its economic direction to overcome existing challenges and create the conditions required for increased productivity, investment and business expansion.

He insisted that abandoning the reforms at this stage could undermine the efforts already made towards improving the economy.

The APC national chairman also identified infrastructure, transportation, education, maritime development and financial inclusion as important areas supporting the administration’s economic agenda.

He maintained that investments in these sectors would help expand economic opportunities, improve productivity and strengthen Nigeria’s ability to compete in the global economy.

Yilwatda specifically highlighted the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, describing the project as an important infrastructure development that would improve connectivity between coastal communities and stimulate commercial activities.

According to him, the highway would create opportunities for businesses, improve the movement of goods and services and support economic activities in Akwa Ibom and other coastal states.

He argued that improved transportation infrastructure would make it easier for investors and business operators to access different parts of the country while reducing some of the difficulties associated with the movement of people and products.

The APC chairman further maintained that the development of major infrastructure projects remained essential to achieving the administration’s ambition of expanding the national economy and creating more opportunities for Nigerians.

Yilwatda also emphasised the importance of developing Nigeria’s maritime sector, noting that the administration’s efforts in that area would improve the economic competitiveness of coastal states.

He argued that greater attention to maritime development would enable states along the coastline to increase their contributions to national economic growth.

According to him, the sector had considerable potential to support commercial activities, attract investments and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.

He maintained that developing maritime infrastructure and improving activities within the sector would strengthen the country’s economic position and provide additional opportunities for communities in coastal areas.

The APC chairman also linked the administration’s economic ambitions to its investments in transportation and other infrastructure projects, insisting that the different sectors were connected in the broader plan to achieve sustainable growth.

He further stated that the development of these areas would help improve the business environment and encourage greater participation from private investors, particularly in sectors capable of generating employment and increasing government revenue.

On education and social investment, Yilwatda commended the student loan scheme introduced by the Tinubu administration, saying it was helping to expand access to higher education for Nigerians.

He maintained that the initiative would provide more students with opportunities to pursue their academic ambitions without allowing financial difficulties to prevent them from accessing higher education.

He also highlighted government interventions targeting women and small businesses, arguing that such programmes were creating opportunities for wider participation in economic activities.

The APC chairman further explained that the administration’s tax reforms were designed to reduce the financial burden on low-income earners and small businesses.

According to him, the changes would allow eligible individuals and business operators to retain more of their earnings while operating in a more favourable economic environment.

Yilwatda also identified improved industrial harmony in educational institutions as one of the administration’s achievements.

He equally highlighted efforts to settle outstanding obligations owed to workers, pensioners and retirees of formerly privatised public enterprises, describing the interventions as part of the government’s commitment to addressing issues affecting different categories of Nigerians.

Yilwatda urged Nigerians to support the economic reform process, maintaining that the country’s long-term development objectives required consistency, patience and commitment from both the government and citizens.

He argued that the reforms were necessary to address structural weaknesses in the economy and create a more sustainable foundation for future generations.

The APC chairman also maintained that investments in infrastructure, education, transportation, maritime development and small businesses would contribute to the administration’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.

He insisted that the country could not afford to abandon the ongoing economic restructuring because doing so could reverse the progress made in addressing longstanding challenges.

According to him, the difficult adjustments associated with the reforms should be considered alongside the administration’s broader objectives of achieving economic stability, expanding opportunities and improving national productivity.

Reaffirming his appeal for continued support for the government’s policies, Yilwatda said: “Never again should Nigeria return to Egypt. We cannot afford to abandon the difficult but necessary work of rebuilding our economy and repositioning our country for sustainable growth.”

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