PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU – LEADING WITH PURPOSE AT 73 AND BEYOND

By Sunday Dare

Pastor Rick Warren’s bestseller, “The Purpose Driven Life”, when read attentively, concentrates the mind. It does so in a significant way that inspires action. The book calls us to a purpose, to a cause greater than ourselves.

And If you catch your purpose early, you will sail, soar and lead. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 73 today, can declare boldly that he found his purpose early. He has lived that purpose to the point of attaining the highest political position any politician or leader could ever dream of. He has done so with gravitas and an uncommon touch.

President Tinubu’s unfolding story is a tapestry of struggles, intrigues, battles, and yes, defeats; but alas, ultimately, victory. Never is there a crown without the thorn. His political journey has been bold and courageous. Spectacular, many will say. But, that’s the shine. There are the rough patches. Many times in the course of Nigeria’s political history, he was summoned to lead. From the Senate Chambers to the Government House, through the building of political parties and political coalitions, he was undeterred, leading with purpose and driven by the spirit to use his gifts for the greater good.

Today, we can see how there is power and purpose in his leadership of Nigeria.

The last four decades of his life is an inspiring journey that culminated in his Presidency. His sense of purpose propelled him into the unsafe waters of political life. There is hardly any leader today in Nigeria, I dare say, with a more compelling political story than Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Across the length and breadth of Nigeria, he continues to build bridges in his relationships. His purpose and politics have been that of a national outlook. When you envision purpose and mix it with a fierce commitment to democratic ethos, you begin to understand the very essence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The stories of his political exploits are well told but not yet fully written, as the biggest story is still in progress: that of his Presidency and the manner in which he has navigated the ship of State with courage and conviction. The Nigerian State, adrift for decades, now has a worthy captain in Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His reform agenda is positioning the Nigerian economy for greater progress.

He is devoid of any messianic mentality. He knocked on doors as he stumped the ground, asking for votes. He has been a servant leader wanting to be allowed to serve. He had no illusion that what lay ahead was a bed of roses. Not a crown without thorns. Nigeria is not a country without its enormous challenges.

In the saddle, he commenced with the surgical intervention, much needed for years but no one with the courage to apply it. Postponed to another day, it was to be a costly postponement. For Nigeria, the struggle to build a resilient economy was never to be an easy one. Yes, we got some things right. However, several times, we missed the way. And when you go the wrong way, the longer the return distance.

President Bola Tinubu is not flamboyant or flashy. Rather, he has also been the heavy lifter. A leader ready to forge through storms and difficult seasons. There is a correlation between making tough and needed decisions in a timely fashion and the results you achieve. That President Tinubu took over a country in dire need of reform is not debatable. When you choose a mechanic to fix your car, it is because your car needs fixing. You trust him. You leave your car with him. You give him time to locate and correct the faults so you can drive smoothly henceforth. That is the story of Nigeria and Bola Tinubu. Much rests on the health of the economy. With an ailing economy and a disappearing manufacturing industry in the face of a weakening naira, Nigeria’s economy was no longer competitive when he came into office.

His reforms have turned Nigeria around as we see positive impacts and indicators of economic transformation. Nigeria’s revenue is now on an upward trajectory under his watch, the highest ever under any Government.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) generated N21. 6 trillion in revenue in 2024, exceeding its initial target of N19. 4 trillion by 11.34%.

Nigeria’s 36 Sub-national Governments are enjoying a 60 percent increase in their monthly FAAC allocations.

Nigeria’s headline inflation figures have tumbled from a high of 34.80 percent to about 23.18 percent. Nigeria recorded a $18.75 billion trade surplus in 2024 alone, confirming the redirection and diversification of the economy towards an export orientation was working. Nigeria’s Foreign reserves have exceeded $40 billion, validating the soundness of President Tinubu’s economic policies and financial management.

On the Consumer Price Index (CPI), prices of essential foodstuffs dropped by 40 percent. Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), petrol, dropped by 15 percent on the heels of two Government-owned refineries being back on stream. Other economic indices confirm that Nigeria is finally getting it right under his leadership.

Under President Tinubu Nigeria’s commitment to Fiscal discipline, Revenue mobilization and an attractive investment climate is rock solid and well on course. Yet, this is just half of the story of Tinubunomics.

Nigeria has found in Bola Tinubu a purposeful leadership. One that panders not to popular applause. Rather, one that seeks out the best options through painful but useful choices driven by a nationalistic ethos that seeks to liberate Nigeria from economic drudgery and social emasculation. History has found its man. A leader leading with Purpose.

– Sunday Dare is the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications.