Tinubu made Nigeria expensive, I’ll make it affordable —Atiku

 Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of implementing economic policies that are making Nigeria more expensive for businesses and households.

 

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Phrank Shaibu, his senior special assistant on public communication, Atiku promised to reverse the trend if elected president.

 

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate accused Tinubu’s administration of exporting Nigeria’s wealth in raw form, leaving Nigerians to contend with rising prices, declining purchasing power and struggling businesses.

 

“This is the painful paradox of Tinubu’s economy: the ships are leaving our ports full, but the pockets of Nigerians are empty,” he said.

 

 

Atiku said Nigeria’s raw-material exports rose by 106 percent, from N1.86 trillion in the first half of 2025 to N3.84 trillion in the corresponding period of 2026.

 

He argued that the increase in raw-material exports would have limited impact if Nigeria continued to export commodities without processing them locally.

 

“There is nothing wrong with exporting. The problem is exporting the cheapest part of the value chain and buying back the expensive part,” he said.

 

 

Atiku cited cocoa, hides, cotton and minerals as examples of commodities that should be processed locally before export to create more jobs and generate greater value for the Nigerian economy.

 

“That is not how prosperous nations are built. Nigeria must stop behaving like a loading bay for raw materials,” he said.

 

The former vice-president also raised concerns over the reported increase in unsold manufactured goods, which he said had reached about N2.14 trillion.

 

Atiku said the figure reflected declining purchasing power among Nigerians, as businesses contend with higher production costs.

 

 

“That N2.14 trillion sitting in warehouses is not just a manufacturing statistic. It is a picture of the Nigerian family,” he said.

 

“It means the mother who sees what she needs in the market but cannot afford it. It means the salary earner whose pay finishes on transport, electricity and food. It means the trader whose customers now price goods and walk away.”

 

‘FACTORY SHELVES ARE FULL, WHILE KITCHEN CUPBOARDS ARE EMPTY’

 

Atiku said the current administration had created a situation in which both producers and consumers are struggling.

 

 

“Fuel is more expensive. Electricity is more expensive. Credit is expensive. Transportation costs have risen. The naira is weaker. Manufacturers pay more to produce, and families have less money to buy,” he said.

 

“That is why factory shelves are full while kitchen cupboards are empty.”

 

 

The ADC presidential candidate said Nigeria should focus on exporting processed and finished products, including chocolate, leather goods, textiles, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals and processed foods.

 

He said his proposed economic recovery plan would focus on affordable long-term financing, industrial clusters, agro-processing, mineral beneficiation and support for businesses that add value locally.

 

 

Atiku also proposed a production-linked fuel subsidy under which support would be restricted to petroleum products refined in Nigeria and tied to verified production, domestic supply and measurable consumer benefits.

 

“No production, no subsidy. No domestic supply, no subsidy. No measurable benefit to Nigerians, no subsidy,” he said.

 

 

Atiku said his proposed $10 billion financing programme for young entrepreneurs and start-ups would support small and medium-sized businesses across agriculture, manufacturing, processing, packaging, logistics, technology and distribution.

 

He said expanding domestic production would also help Nigeria earn more foreign exchange, reduce pressure on the naira and strengthen the economy.

 

“You cannot rebase your way to prosperity. A $1 trillion economy must be something Nigerians can feel in their salaries, their markets, their businesses and their homes,” he said.

 

“Our promise is simple: we will make it cheaper to produce, easier to do business, more rewarding to manufacture and more affordable to live. Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. Atiku will make Nigeria affordable again.”

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