Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu Launches Re-election Manifesto

Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially unveiled his re-election manifesto, setting out targets to grow the economy, tackle insecurity, and resolve housing shortages as the country prepares for a general election in January 2027. Titled From Reform to Prosperity, the platform was launched on 10 November by his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governing party's strategy seeks to regain public confidence following a challenging first term. Elected in 2023, the administration implemented significant economic changes across Africa's largest oil producer, including the removal of fuel subsidies, the harmonisation of foreign exchange rates, and tax adjustments. While international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF praised these measures for restoring macroeconomic stability, they have generated severe financial strain for citizens.

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Opposition figures have sharply contested the administration's economic track record. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, one of the primary challengers alongside Peter Obi, criticised the removal of fuel subsidies on social media, promising to reinstate them to ease financial burdens. However, financial analysts note that restoring subsidies remains highly impractical given current fiscal constraints and heavy debt-servicing obligations.

The newly released manifesto targets an annual economic growth rate of 6% by 2031, alongside the deployment of 78,000 additional security personnel and the construction of 200,000 affordable housing units. Inflation statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics indicate a decline to 14% by September 2026, dropping from 34% in 2024, while various indices point to mixed relief regarding household living expenses.

Reforms must deliver tangible relief to households as voters weigh economic hardship ahead of the 2027 election.

Why it matters

For Nigerians to feel meaningful improvements, reforms will need to go beyond the promises outlined, analysts say. With the cost of living remaining a central concern for voters just two months before the polls, the success of these policy targets will directly shape the political landscape.