Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is focused on freeing Nigeria’s natural and economic resources from illegal foreign exploitation and internal sabotage.
Akande, a founding member of the ruling party and one of Tinubu’s political allies, made the statement in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while delivering a lecture titled “Governance, Structural Reforms and the Economic Landscape of Nigeria in the 21st Century.” The lecture was held during the maiden edition of the Joel Babatola Annual Lectures, organised by the Ekiti Council of Elders.
According to Akande, the Tinubu administration is determined to rebuild the country by promoting self-reliance, human capital development, and industrial growth. He said the President’s economic reforms aim to strengthen Nigeria against what he described as “indigenous saboteurs” and “neo-colonialist grumblers.”
Akande explained that President Tinubu’s policies are designed to protect the country’s sovereignty and economic independence from both internal and external forces.
“The President is focusing on strengthening Nigerian unity against indigenous retrogressive saboteurs and neo-colonialist grumblers,” Akande said. “He is working to extricate Nigeria’s resources from massive illegal foreign exploitations, at least pending the fury of the threatened invasion from global powers and international municipalities.”
Although Akande did not specify the type of exploitation he referred to, Nigeria has for decades faced challenges such as crude oil theft, under-priced mineral exports, and unfavourable trade agreements that benefit foreign interests more than the Nigerian economy.
The former APC chairman stressed that the President’s long-term goal includes building a stronger economy through investment in human capital, science, and technology.
Akande said the government recognises that empowering young people with knowledge and technical skills is key to sustainable national development. He noted that Tinubu’s administration is laying the groundwork for improved education, innovation, and research — areas that will help reduce dependence on foreign expertise and imported goods.
“President Tinubu is focusing on human capital development in areas of science and technology that will help equip young people,” Akande explained. “This focus is essential for the nation’s progress and for preparing our youth to compete globally.”
Nigeria’s youth population, estimated to make up more than 60 percent of the total population, has long struggled with unemployment and underemployment. Experts have argued that boosting technical education and innovation is the only way to transform Nigeria from a consumer economy into a productive one.
Akande also highlighted the administration’s focus on infrastructure expansion — particularly in transportation and electricity — as part of efforts to boost productivity and attract private investment.
According to him, the Tinubu government plans to collaborate with the private sector and state governments to improve roads, power supply, and other facilities that support agriculture and manufacturing.
“The agenda targets rapid infrastructure expansion, especially in transportation and electricity, through collaboration between the private sector and different tiers of government,” Akande said. “These efforts will support agricultural and industrial processing and improve the movement of goods between urban and rural areas.”
Poor infrastructure remains one of the major challenges facing Nigeria’s economy. Frequent power outages, dilapidated roads, and unreliable transport systems have slowed industrial growth and increased the cost of doing business.
Akande said the Tinubu government is determined to address these bottlenecks, noting that improved infrastructure would not only drive economic growth but also help reduce poverty and unemployment across the country.
Akande’s remarks come at a time when Nigeria is undergoing major economic reforms under President Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidies, the unification of exchange rates, and renewed efforts to attract foreign investment.
While these policies have received mixed reactions from Nigerians due to their short-term impact on living costs, the government has insisted that the reforms are necessary to stabilize the economy and encourage long-term growth.
Akande’s comments also come amid reports of increasing international attention on Nigeria’s internal security and religious tensions.
The former APC leader made his remarks shortly after reports surfaced about a statement attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump, who allegedly threatened military action over alleged persecution of Christians in parts of Northern Nigeria.
Trump, according to media reports, was reacting to claims of widespread killings by extremist groups targeting Christians in some northern states. The Nigerian government, however, has consistently denied accusations of religious persecution, maintaining that terrorism in the country affects people of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
Akande, a respected elder statesman and one of the founding fathers of the APC, urged Nigerians to remain united and to avoid actions that could weaken the country’s stability.
He reminded the audience that national unity is crucial for economic development and political progress.
“Nation-building is not the responsibility of one man alone,” he said. “Every Nigerian, whether in government or not, must contribute to the success of our nation by promoting peace, productivity, and self-reliance.”
The former Osun State governor also praised the Ekiti Council of Elders for organizing the lecture series, describing it as an important platform for dialogue and reflection on Nigeria’s development challenges.
