Trump can do his worst – Tinubu as he reveals Nigeria meets yearly revenue target.
Reacting to newly instituted policies by the United States President Donald Trump to make America great again, President Bola Tinubu has fired a shot at the U.S. president to do his worst.
In a statement made while receiving delegates of former members of defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, which included governors, lawmakers and other political dignitaries from all walks of life within 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,” Mr Tinubu said.
He cited his progress and success in enhancing non-oil revenue performance, affirming that Nigeria now has no cause to be wary of international economic development, highlighting robust mechanisms that are already in motion to ensure that the nation is on course for rapid and sustainable development.
“If non-oil revenue is going well, then we have no fear of whatever Trump is doing on the other side,” Tinubu stated.
In his statement, he revealed that when he assumed power, the exchange rate had flown to N1,900 to the U.S. dollar. But giving kudos to reforms and fiscal policy, the rate has recovered, and on N1,450 to a dollar, without requiring elite-level backchannel connections 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 said.
Mr Tinubu also revealed that his administration has been focused on “fixing the economy” and “bringing hope to the people,” claiming that agriculture is the backbone of Nigeria’s long-term food security plan.
He also stated that he had just started a major agricultural mechanisation programme that will be in effect in every region of the country, corroborated 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.
While addressing the CPC faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the president reassured them of his endless commitment to their shared ideals, while he conceded the delays in political appointments.
He stated that ambassadorial positions were still open but reaffirmed that fixing the country’s economy remains his sole 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.
President Tinubu emphasised his long-standing relationships with the CPC faction, flashing back on the early days of the merger talks before the formation of the APC.
“You brought back the memory of the beginning of the alliance. When we sat down to fashion out which way. We disagreed to agree.
President Bola Tinubu Receives CPC Delegation at The Presidential Villa. Photo Credit: State House
“We even argued on symbol — he [Buhari] insisted on parliament, and I insisted on broom. He’s so stubborn,” Tinubu jocularly said.
Reiterating his desire to continue the legacies of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, Tinubu commended the virtues of discipline, justice and integrity that he noted that he inherited from the immediate-past Daura icon.
“Part of what we inherited from Buhari was his honesty, transparency, and justice. That’s all. You won’t have anything less than that,” he said.
The President also praised the unity and loyalty of the CPC stakeholders, saying that their support corroborates his plan to work even harder.
“When I see people like you, I am determined to work harder. We are certain we are going to succeed,” Tinubu said, promising to build a ‘Buhari House’ that would serve as a symbol of joy and prosperity in honour of the late President.
Also present at the gathering was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who led the delegation to the State House, assured the president of their uninterrupted loyalty and vowed grassroots support for Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.
“I want to seize this opportunity, Mr President, to assure you of the unconditional support of all former members of the CPC,” Abbas said.
He then rebuffed the insinuation that the CPC faction of the APC was not united or not in sync with the present administration, stating: “From the calibre of people you see here, you will be convinced that the notion that CPC is broken or not with this administration is a lie.”
He further praised Tinubu for supporting the Buhari family and the CPC political family amid the former president’s passing, noting that the burial was arranged in uncommon dignity and regard.
“It was unprecedented in the history of Nigeria for any former leader to be accorded such a kind of respect,” Abbas said.
“We are together today with you, tomorrow and forever,” he concluded.
Also in attendance, Senator Tank Al-Makura, ex-governor of Nasarawa State and a leader of The Buhari Organisation (TBO), expressed a heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for all he called a dignified, transparent, and loyalty-orchestrated handling of Buhari’s death.
“You not only buried Muhammadu Buhari but honoured him and ensured a befitting state burial with full military honours,” Al-Makura said.
They also commended President Tinubu on the shared vision with the late Buhari, which was created on “political assemblage” or benefits, but by virtue of discipline, justice, economic sovereignty, and responsible governance.
“You and President Muhammadu Buhari shared more than a political alliance. You were united by purpose and vision, not benefits,” Al-Makura said.
He stated that the Renewed Hope Agenda was not just a slogan, but a “scientific, pragmatic, and rewarding blueprint for national restoration.”
Vowing utmost collaboration with CPC loyalists across Nigeria, Al-Makura added: “Our loyalty and commitment to you and your government is irrevocable.”
At the end of the meeting, President Tinubu promised that “the joy at the end of this journey” will belong to all Nigerians—and that the path of recovery had already begun.
