Tinubu Pledges Support for Nigeria’s Poor in Meeting with IMF Chief

• President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing the welfare of Nigeria’s poorest citizens during a meeting with IMF’s Georgieva
• Tinubu acknowledged economic reforms have weakened purchasing power but promised to provide social safety nets and address education challenges

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his dedication to prioritizing the welfare of Nigeria’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens.

He made this commitment during a meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The discussion took place on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

The IMF chief praised the Nigerian government’s economic reforms, expressing strong support for efforts to boost growth, create jobs, and stabilize the economy.

President Tinubu acknowledged that some of the reforms have weakened Nigerians’ purchasing power. However, he assured that his administration would continue to provide social safety nets to ease the challenges caused by these changes.

“We have started seeing positive outcomes from these reforms, and Nigerians are beginning to understand their importance. But we must reduce the hardship caused by their implementation,” he said.

The President also emphasized the urgent need to address education challenges in the country. He pointed out that too many children remain out of school, stressing that education is crucial to combating hunger and poverty. He called for support to develop initiatives aimed at keeping children in school.

Additionally, Tinubu highlighted the importance of investing in infrastructure to drive sustainable development. He noted that Nigeria is implementing tax reforms to further stimulate the economy without overburdening citizens.

“We are engaging stakeholders and educating Nigerians to expand the tax base for inclusive growth. Our aim is to achieve this without increasing the tax burden on those who are already contributing significantly,” he explained, seeking the IMF’s support in these efforts.

The meeting also saw Tinubu congratulate Georgieva on her re-election as IMF Managing Director. He expressed gratitude for the IMF’s backing of Nigeria’s reforms, while calling for continued institutional support to achieve stability and long-term progress.