President Bola Tinubu has affirmed that his administration will not be swayed by US President Donald Trump’s trade policies, noting that Nigeria’s expanding non-oil revenue provides a strong buffer against external economic shocks.
The President made the remarks while receiving a delegation of former members of the now-defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.
The group included governors, lawmakers, and other political leaders from across the country.
“Today, I can stand here before you to brag, Nigeria is not borrowing. We have met our revenue target for the year and we met it in August. Let Trump do his worst, we are stable,” Tinubu said.
President Bola Tinubu has credited Nigeria’s economic progress to improved non-oil revenue performance, asserting that the country no longer needs to fear international economic developments.
He cited robust fiscal mechanisms that are keeping the nation on course, regardless of actions by global actors such as US President Donald Trump.
“If non-oil revenue is going well, then we have no fear of whatever Trump is doing on the other side,” Tinubu said.
The President highlighted that when he assumed office, the exchange rate had soared to N1,900 to the US dollar. Through reforms and fiscal discipline, the rate has stabilised at around N1,450, eliminating the need for elite-level backchannel access to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“Nobody is trading pieces of paper for exchange rate anymore. You don’t have to know a CBN governor to get forex. All you have to do is export, import, and create jobs for the people,” he explained.
Tinubu reiterated that his administration is focused on “fixing the economy” and “bringing hope to the people,” describing agriculture as central to Nigeria’s long-term food security strategy.
He recently approved a major agricultural mechanisation programme that will operate across all regions, complete with training centres and support infrastructure.
“We are doing mechanisation and training—that is our backbone: food sovereignty, food security. If we remove hunger, we have defeated poverty,” he said.
Addressing former members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the President reassured them of his commitment to shared ideals while acknowledging delays in political appointments.
He confirmed that ambassadorial slots remain available but emphasised that fixing the economy remains his top priority.
“I couldn’t appoint everybody at once, and thank you for your patience. I still have some slots for ambassadorial positions that so many people are craving for. But it’s not easy stitching those names,” he said.
Tinubu also fondly recalled the early days of merger talks leading to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), joking about disagreements over party symbols with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Reflecting on Buhari’s legacy, he praised the late president’s honesty, transparency, and commitment to justice, noting that his administration seeks to build on those values.
He commended the unity and loyalty of CPC stakeholders, saying their solidarity motivates him to work even harder.
Tinubu also promised to build a “Buhari House” as a symbol of joy and prosperity in honour of the late President.