President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s economy has recorded steady growth following the financial and fiscal reforms introduced by his administration over the past three years.
Tinubu spoke on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from Deloitte Africa, led by Ruwayda Redfearn, the firm’s chief executive officer (CEO), at the State House in Abuja.
The president said the reforms had stabilised the economy and laid the foundation for sustained growth despite the initial challenges associated with their implementation.
“We are following the example of Deloitte’s greatness to change things from the foundation, building the necessary future for our people,” Tinubu said.
“Yes, reforms are difficult. It has not been a McDonald’s customer relationship but a harvester of good things, if implemented well, and that is what we are about.
“Thank you for your partnership in paying attention to what we are doing here, as we have heard from the honourable minister of finance about the fiscal, revenue and tax reforms that have taken place and are moving the nation forward.
“The reforms on revenue will continue to stimulate growth. And the effect of the reform? Yes, some issues are difficult to take the bitter medicine, but it is working well. For the economy, Nigeria is making serious foundational progress.”
Tinubu said the reforms had strengthened the country’s fiscal and revenue systems, repositioned financial institutions and enhanced Nigeria’s competitiveness.
He urged Deloitte Africa to deepen its contribution to the economy by investing in youth capacity development and employment.
“The family of Deloitte; you just reminded me of my cradle years in accountancy and where I cut my childhood accounting teeth in Chicago,” he said.
“Deloitte has a good training programme, and I believe you will continue to reflect that.”
Taiwo Oyedele, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, also urged the firm to focus on building the capacity of young Nigerians.
Redfearn said Deloitte Africa is committed to supporting the Tinubu administration’s reform agenda.
“We are before you to say that we want to serve,” she said.
“We have a local team on the ground that is ready, as well as the global firm, to support you and support your administration as you lead the country.”
She said Deloitte employed more than 500,000 people globally, including over 6,000 in Africa, and generated $74 billion in revenue in 2025.
Yomi Olugbenro, the CEO of Deloitte West Africa, said the company is ready to deploy its global expertise to support Nigeria’s economic transformation.
“We do believe that with the capabilities that the firm has all over the world, with the half a million people that our CEO spoke about, we have use cases, examples and experiences of how we supported nations all around the world, so Nigeria will definitely benefit from those experiences,” Olugbenro said.
“So that is why we are here, and we welcome the invitation that you may grant us as to where exactly you want us to support you.”
