In a Punch interview, Bolaji Abdullahi responds to a question about President Bola Tinubu's recent budget presentation, expressing the need to give the new administration sufficient time for implementation. Abdullahi emphasizes the importance of effective execution rather than swift judgment within the initial seven months of Tinubu's presidency.
While acknowledging budget deficits and the likelihood of increased borrowing, Abdullahi points out the structural challenges inherited over the years. He suggests the incorporation of experts, even from the Diaspora and private sector, to address the country's economic complexities. Abdullahi underscores the severity of Nigeria's economic situation and urges a strategic approach to implement the budget successfully.
According to Punch, he said: "the budget is an indication of what the government has to do. But President Bola Tinubu was sworn in May and we're in December; we still need to give him sufficient time.
This is someone who has always been President. Yes, the initial decision that he had to take was very hard, but I believe we need to give sufficient time to the people we have elected, including the senators, House of Representatives members, governors, and others. It's not fair to rate them within seven months. Though I have not had time to look at the details of the budget, the important thing is the effectiveness of its implementation.
The budget showed there are deficits. This implies that the government will be involved in more borrowing. You can see that there is a structural quagmire that has been carried over the years. What the government needs to do is bring in people who are experts in this kind of situation."