What steps will you take to cut government waste and ensure economic reforms genuinely improve citizens' lives?
Thank you. Let me set out plainly what this means for you and your family.
At the heart of it is this: before I ask you to bear any cost, I will make sure government itself is not wasting your money. Any fiscal reform to improve our resources must first eliminate revenue leakages arising from governance, including the cost of running government and the government procurement process. I and members of my team would not live in luxury while you wallow in misery.
Concretely, this means:
- Cutting the cost of governance and eliminating wasteful expenditure, and improving public financial management and budgeting systems.
- Shifting to zero-based budgeting, so that government spending is linked to our development priorities, to measurable results, and to real impact on you, not spent out of habit.
- Reviewing fiscal support for non-performing government enterprises, and privatising those that cannot sustain themselves.
- Gradually reducing government recurrent expenditures so they reflect higher levels of service delivery to you. Over the medium term, I intend that recurrent expenditure should not exceed 45% of the budget.
- Reviewing government procurement processes so they are transparent, competitive, and deliver value for money, eliminating leakages.
- Increasing non-oil revenue through economic growth, not excessive taxation, because a thriving economy with prosperous citizens naturally generates robust tax revenue. That takes vision, investment, and patience.
On translating reform into real improvement in your life, I am committed to sequencing reforms properly, so we do not unleash exchange rate adjustment, cost-reflective electricity tariffs, and fuel price changes all at once, which is an overkill. Where subsidy reform is needed, I favour a gradualist approach, phasing changes rather than sudden, complete removal, as I did with phases 1 and 2 when I was Vice President.
Alongside that, I would implement a robust social protection programme, investing savings from reform to strengthen the productive base of the economy: infrastructure maintenance and development, better outcomes in education and healthcare, improved rural infrastructure and livelihood support in agriculture, and skills and entrepreneurial development for our youth. This is not a palliative economy. It is genuine support that gives you immediate comfort and security while you navigate the stormy seas.
I also commit to transparent communication, built on civility, tact, and diplomacy, so you understand what government is doing and can trust it. I would consult more with stakeholders to learn, negotiate, adapt, and modify policy where needed. And I would recognise that reforms can sometimes fail: as a responsible leader, I would pause, reflect, and where necessary, review implementation rather than push ahead regardless of the human cost.
Where this comes from
Thread on X Thread by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1761785374366388432 2024-02-25 ›
The plan includes strategic steps we must take to recover the economy and make it stronger, dynamic, resilient, and competitive.
We had outlined plans to relax the fiscal constraints facing us to include:
• Improving Spending Efficiency and Blocking Leakages
• Saving money through:
a. A review of fiscal support for non-performing government enterprises and the privatization of those that can not sustain themselves.
b. Steps to improve spending efficiency through a gradual reduction in government recurrent expenditures, ensuring that those expenditures reflect higher levels of service delivery. Over the medium term, recurrent expenditures should not exceed 45% of the budget.
c. A review of government procurement processes to ensure high levels of transparency, competitiveness, and value-for-money and eliminate all leakages.
Unless, and until there are clear-cut policies and pathway to economic rejuvenation predicated on a leadership led sacrifice, there will be discontentment, especially among the youths, which may find expression in protests and for which it will be silly to continue to blame the opposition for. -AA
Thread on X Thread by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1850846745850220893 2024-10-28 ›
As we look ahead, let us harness our collective strength to engage all segments of society —governments, businesses, and communities —advocating for actionable solutions that uplift our most vulnerable citizens. In the years to come, I am confident that Nigerians will build upon the foundation laid by Her Excellency Titi and the compassionate individuals dedicated to WOTCLEF’s mission.
Let us ensure that no child is denied an education and that no woman suffers through trafficking and exploitation in silence. Let us eliminate the shadows of trafficking and exploitation from our society. Let us unite in purpose and action. Together, we can forge a future where dignity, justice, and hope triumph for every Nigerian.
Thank you for being part of this celebration, and for your dedication to this noble cause. Together, let us continue the fight, empowering our citizens and building the society we dreamed of.
Thread on X Thread by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1853078096372535359 2024-11-03 ›
We would have been guided by my robust reform agenda as encapsulated in 'My Covenant With Nigerians', my policy document that sought to, among others, protect our fragile economy against much deeper crisis by preventing business collapse; our document had spelt out policies that were consistent and coherent.
We would have sequenced my reforms to achieve fiscal and monetary congruence. Unleashing reforms to determine an appropriate exchange rate, cost-reflective electricity tariff, and PMS price at one and the same time is certainly an overkill. Add CBN’s bullish money tightening spree. As importers of PMS and other petroleum products, removing subsidy on these products without a stable exchange rate would be counterproductive.
We would have been more strategic in our response to reform fallout. We would not over-estimate the efficacy of the reform measures or underestimate the potential costs of reforms. I would recognise that reforms could sometimes fail. I would not underestimate the numerous delivery challenges, including the weaknesses of our institutions, and would work assiduously to correct the same. I would, as a responsible leader, pause, reflect, and where necessary, review implementation.
Thread on X Thread by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1853078096372535359 2024-11-03 ›
I would have led by example. Any fiscal reform to improve liquidity and the management of our fiscal resources must first eliminate revenue leakages arising from governance, including the cost of running the government and the government procurement process. I (and members of my team) would not have lived in luxury while the citizens wallow in misery.
We would have communicated more effectively with the people, with civility, tact, and diplomacy. Transparent communication with the public is essential to build public trust, which in turn is important to ensure that the public understands what the government is doing.
We would have consulted more with all stakeholders to learn, negotiate, adapt, and modify, among other policy goals.
We would have demonstrated more empathy. My Reforms would wear a human face.
We would have been more strategic in the design and implementation of reform fallout mitigating measures. I would not run a ‘palliative economy’ yet, we would have robust social protection programme that will offer genuine support to the poor and vulnerable and provide immediate comfort and security to enable them to navigate the stormy seas.
Thread on X Thread by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1853078096372535359 2024-11-03 ›
Third, adopt a gradualist approach in the implementation of the subsidy reforms. Subsidies would not have been removed suddenly and completely. It is instructive that when I was Vice President, we adopted a gradualist approach and had completed phases 1 and 2 of the reform before our tenure ended. The incoming administration in 2007 abandoned the reforms, unfortunately. The majority of the countries that review or rationalize subsidy payments adopt a gradualist approach by phasing price increases or shifting from universal to targeted approach (Malaysia, 2022 and Indonesia, 2022 -2023). In many EU economies, complete withdrawal often takes 5 years to effect. The gradualist approach allows for adjustments, adaptation and minimizes disruptions and vulnerability.
Fourth, implement a robust social protection programme that will support the poor in navigating the cost-of-living challenges arising largely from reform implementation. We would’ve invested the savings from subsidy withdrawal to strengthen the productive base of the economy through infrastructure maintenance and development; to improve outcomes in education and healthcare delivery; to improve rural infrastructure and support livelihood expansion in agriculture; and develop the skills and entrepreneurial capacity of our youth in order to enhance their access to better economic opportunities.
Post on X Post by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1870799135634244044 2024-12-22 ›
3. Unsustainable Government Expenditure: The government’s recurrent expenditure remains disproportionately high, with over N14 trillion (30% of the budget) allocated to operating an oversized bureaucracy and supporting inefficient public enterprises. The lack of concrete steps to curb wastage and enhance the efficiency of public spending exacerbates the fiscal challenges, leaving limited resources for development.
4. Insufficient Capital Investment: After accounting for debt servicing and recurrent expenditure, the remaining allocation for capital spending, ranging from 25% to 34% of the total budget, is insufficient to address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and stimulate growth. This equates to an average capital allocation of approximately N80,000 (US$45) per capita, insufficient to meet the demands of a nation grappling with slow growth and infrastructural underdevelopment.
5. Regressive Taxation and Economic Strain: The administration’s decision to increase the VAT rate from 7.5% to 10% is a retrogressive measure that will exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis and impede economic growth. By imposing additional tax burdens on an already struggling populace while failing to address governance inefficiencies, the government risks stifling domestic consumption and further deepening economic hardship.
Post on X Post by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1943765415588769905 2025-07-11 ›
Today, I was at the National Mosque, Abuja, to attend Juma’at prayers.
Shortly after, I joined family, friends, and other well-wishers to witness the wedding of Musa Umaru Yar'Adua, the son of the late President Umaru Yar'Adua, and Maryam Ayuba Shuaibu.
Following a longstanding family ties with the Yar'Aduas, I believe that the young couple, coming from a disciplined and well respected family backgrounds, rooted in sound traditional and religious beliefs, are set out to raise a great family.
I join other well-meaning dignitaries who attended the wedding fatiha to pray for wisdom, patience, and understanding as Musa and Maryam begin the journey of building a happy home. -AA
Thread on X Thread by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1991924020195754320 2025-11-21 ›
May God guide us aright as we endeavor to deliver on our responsibilities. I thank you for listening. God Bless. -AA
Post on X Post by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/2076670355821707425 2026-07-13 ›
However, suspending this policy should not be the end of the conversation. The Federal Government must now engage stakeholders to develop a sustainable funding model for WAEC and NECO that strengthens these examination bodies without transferring the burden to struggling families.
More importantly, this administration must abandon its growing habit of announcing anti-people policies first and listening later. Consultation is not a sign of weakness; it is the foundation of responsible governance.
A government that listens only after Nigerians cry out is a government that has stopped listening to the people it was elected to serve.
Thankfully, as the 2027 election approaches, Nigerians have a clear choice. They can choose an administration whose policies are too often driven by trial and error, or they can choose experienced leadership with a proven record in national governance. The lesson from this latest policy reversal is simple: a nation as important as Nigeria cannot be governed like a laboratory for endless experimentation. Nigerians deserve leadership that listens before it acts, consults before it decides, and gets it right the first time. -AA
Article on X Article by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/2094810791937446399 2026-09-01 ›
Atiku’s argument is precisely the opposite. Reduce the cost of energy so that salaries buy more. Reduce transport costs so that less of a worker’s wage disappears merely getting to work. Reduce the cost of moving food so families spend less in the market. Reduce the cost of living so students spend less on upkeep and parents have more money left after food, rent and transportation.
You cannot make life painfully expensive, push students towards debt to survive the consequences, and then frighten those same students that cheaper fuel will take their loans away. Nor can you tell workers that a policy designed to restore value to their wages will somehow take those wages from them. That is not economic reform. It is scarecrow propaganda built on witchcraft economics.
And while you celebrate statistics, Nigerians still deserve answers about the enormous sums surrounding your so-called reforms. Your government says subsidy removal mobilised about ₦15.8 trillion between June 2023 and December 2025. Nigerians surrendered cheap fuel. They paid more for transportation. They paid more for food. They watched the value of their wages collapse. So what measurable improvement reached the average Nigerian household in exchange for that sacrifice?
Post on X Post by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/2098476924813115799 2026-09-11 ›
I want a mother to return from the market with more food in her bag.
I want a father to pay transport and still have something left in his pocket.
I want a small business owner to close for the day with profit, not just enough money to buy fuel for tomorrow.
That is what affordability means to me.
Less money spent on fuel.
Less money spent on transport.
Less pressure on food prices.
More money left for your family.
My promise is personal: I want you to feel relief in your pocket, in your home and in your daily life.
I will make life affordable again.
I will make Nigeria affordable again.
It is a promise. -AA
p. 7 MANIFESTO OF THE AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (ADC) Party Manifesto 2027-2031 2026-10-05 ›
4.Reduce deficit financing and improve fiscal discipline. We will ensure that government spending is efficient, accountable, and aligned with national priorities.
● Cut the cost of governance and eliminate wasteful expenditure ● Improve public financial management and budgeting systems ● Increase non-oil revenue through economic growth, not excessive taxation ● Align spending with measurable outcomes that deliver real value to citizens
5. Reform budgeting and public procurement to deliver value for money.
● Shift to zero-based budgeting, linking government spending to our development priorities, measurable results, and public impact
29
p. 34 MANIFESTO OF THE AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (ADC) Party Manifesto 2027-2031 2026-10-05 ›
5. HUMAN CAPITAL & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT The ADC will:
1. Place people at the center of national development. Enact a Social Protection Act that guarantees access to safety nets, pensions, and social insurance, making support for vulnerable Nigerians a permanent national responsibility, not a temporary programme.
Details:
● Implement targeted subsidies linked to education, healthcare, and livelihood support, ensuring families receive coordinated assistance that helps them move out of poverty and build stable lives ● Decentralize human capital and social protection programmes to state and local governments for more effective delivery ● Strengthen national data systems, including conducting a credible population census and building reliable social registries ● Use data-driven systems to ensure that social programmes reach those who truly need them and that government decisions are based on real evidence ● Harness Nigeria's population as an economic advantage by investing in human capital development at scale
p. 1 CANDIDATE-APPROVED ANSWER Candidate-approved answer 2026-10-12 ›
I have said that any fiscal reform must start by eliminating revenue leakages that come from the cost of running government and from the government procurement process. I would have led by example: my team and I would not live in luxury while you and your family wallow in misery. I have also spoken out against spending scarce resources on things like new aircraft for the presidential fleet while Nigerians face hardship, saying our priorities must side with the people, not with such purchases.
p. 1 CANDIDATE-APPROVED ANSWER Candidate-approved answer 2026-10-17 ›
On measuring progress at state, LGA and ward levels, I am committed to taking power and resources closer to where you live. I will devolve more authority to states, including giving states a greater share of national resources and stronger incentives to develop their local economies. I will decentralize human capital and social protection programmes to state and local governments for more effective delivery, and strengthen our national data systems, including a credible census and reliable social registries, so that government decisions are based on real evidence and programmes reach those who truly need them. I will also digitize processes like the Universal Basic Education Commission so that fund disbursement, school performance and project implementation can be tracked in real time.
On transparency, I will launch an online "Promise Tracker" portal and apply Open Government Partnership standards to publish live budget spending, contract awards, and performance metrics, so you can see how public money is being spent and hold my government accountable when commitments are not fulfilled. For infrastructure specifically, I will enforce mandatory third-party engineering audits and release funds based on verified milestones, to stop projects from being abandoned.
p. 1 CANDIDATE-APPROVED ANSWER Candidate-approved answer 2026-10-17 ›
On making reforms felt in your pocket and home, I have said that a competent government should be able to protect both the producer and the consumer, and that economic reform must have a human face, affordable food, cheaper transportation, accessible healthcare, decent jobs. My plan is to reduce the cost of energy so your salary buys more, reduce transport costs, and reduce the cost of moving food, so your family keeps more of what it earns. I believe every policy, from economic reform to security to social protection, must be measured by its impact on citizens, and that reform must be sequenced, supported and humane, so that Nigerians are not pushed further into hardship in the process. I will not treat budget reviews or reform rollouts as a one-time announcement. I am prepared to pause, reflect, and where necessary, review implementation, rather than assume reforms are working simply because they have been announced.