A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Hon. Comrade Lukman Olukayode Ahmed, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for what he described as bold fiscal reforms and a clear commitment to national security in the 2026 federal budget.
Ahmed, a former Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Poverty Alleviation and Coordinator of the Remi Tinubu Support Organization (APC-RETSO) in Kwara State, specifically applauded the ₦5.41 trillion allocated to defence, saying it demonstrates the administration’s resolve to confront insecurity and restore stability across Nigeria.
“The allocation of ₦5.41 trillion to defence in the 2026 budget is a strong statement of intent,” Ahmed said. “It clearly shows that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands that no nation can develop sustainably without security. This level of commitment gives renewed hope that terrorism and other security threats will be decisively tackled.”
Reacting to the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, Ahmed said the budget goes beyond a routine constitutional requirement and should be seen as a strategic political and economic signal.
“This budget represents a transition from the difficult phase of initiating reforms to the more demanding phase of consolidation,” he noted. “It reflects a presidency focused on accountability, confidence restoration, and aligning public finance with long-term national productivity.”
According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda, as reflected in the budget, demonstrates a deliberate effort to harmonize policy direction with global standards of fiscal leadership, particularly through its emphasis on security, infrastructure, human capital development, and fiscal discipline.
“The President has positioned government not merely as a spender of public funds, but as a strategic mobilizer of economic momentum,” Ahmed stated. “This is in line with global best practices where budgets are tools for national coordination and economic direction.”
Ahmed stated that the emphasis on security spending would have positive economic implications, including improved investor confidence and stronger private-sector participation.
“When security is prioritized, investors are reassured, businesses are protected, and economic corridors are secured,” he said. “This strengthens the credibility of the state both politically and economically.”
He also praised the focus on infrastructure, education, and healthcare, describing them as productivity-enhancing investments rather than short-term relief measures.
“The attention given to infrastructure and human capital shows an understanding that economic resilience is inseparable from human development,” Ahmed added. “By investing in people and systems, the Tinubu administration is aligning Nigeria with international development priorities.”
On fiscal management, the APC stalwart said the budget sends a strong signal of discipline through its approach to revenue mobilization, debt management, and expenditure efficiency.
“Markets respond to coherence, not just figures,” he said. “The 2026 budget projects order, continuity, and seriousness, which are essential for macroeconomic stability and Nigeria’s standing in global financial circles.”
Ahmed stressed that the real test of the budget would lie in implementation but expressed confidence in the administration’s direction.
“This budget reads like a roadmap for economic normalization after years of structural strain,” he said. “If effectively implemented, it has the potential to reshape Nigeria’s developmental trajectory and further establish President Tinubu as a reform-driven leader operating within internationally respected standards of governance.”
He reiterated solidarity for the administration and party structure.
“Long live President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Long live Remi Tinubu Support Organization, APC-RETSO. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Ahmed stated.
