Information Minister outlines robust achievements in first 2025 Press Briefing

In a detailed address at the Radio House conference room in Abuja today, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, presented a comprehensive scorecard of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Speaking at the maiden ministerial briefing of 2025 – part of a series launched last year to promote transparent communication – the Minister detailed sweeping reforms and ambitious projects across several key sectors.

The briefing series, established as a regular forum for Federal Ministers to explain government policies and counter misinformation, has reached millions in Nigeria and internationally. Minister Idris noted that the initiative, which hosted 25 Ministers in 2024, is integral to President Tinubu’s commitment to robust engagement and clear communication with citizens.

Highlighting achievements in fiscal, macroeconomic and legislative reforms, the Minister emphasised that the removal of fuel subsidies has plugged leakages amounting to hundreds of billions of Naira annually. He pointed to the introduction of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS) as a major factor behind unprecedented FX stability. This measure, along with other reforms, helped clear billions of dollars in backlogs and boosted foreign capital inflows – with the Nigerian Stock Exchange experiencing a rise from 4 per cent in mid-2023 to an average of 16 per cent by the end of 2024. In addition, landmark developments in the oil and gas sector have attracted over US$5 billion in investment commitments, while the 2024 Electricity Act now serves as a framework for State Governments to roll out regulated electricity markets.

The Minister outlined several targeted interventions designed to uplift various sectors. Among these, the Student Loan Fund (NELFUND) disbursed N32.8 billion to over 169,000 students, alleviating the burden of school fees and upkeep. On the regional development front, the administration has enacted Bills to establish Development Commissions across key geopolitical zones, alongside the launch of specialised institutions such as the Federal University of Environmental Technology in Ogoniland and a Maritime University in Delta State.

In the health sector, recent measures include the approval of US$1.07 billion in low-cost financing from the World Bank under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (#HOPE) programme and the introduction of targeted subsidies to assist cancer patients. Furthermore, the government’s drive to upgrade critical health infrastructure has seen the modernisation of teaching hospitals and federal health centres nationwide. Measures to expedite government operations have also been achieved, as evidenced by the rapid clearance of a backlog of over 200,000 international passports.

Infrastructure projects feature prominently in the administration’s reform agenda. At a recent Federal Executive Council meeting, over 2.5 trillion Naira worth of road projects were approved – a figure described as unprecedented in Nigeria’s history. Major initiatives include extensive upgrades to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, access roads to the Second Niger Bridge, and the reconstruction of vital sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Additional projects span from road rehabilitations in Lokoja-Benin and Ado–Ekiti–Igede routes to enhancements in the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor. These projects, along with ongoing works on key refineries, dam reconstructions and railway constructions, underscore a commitment to ensuring no region is left behind.

In the realm of defence and security, the Minister recounted significant successes in combating terrorism and banditry. In 2024, security forces neutralised over 8,000 terrorists and bandits, rescued approximately 8,000 kidnap victims, and recovered more than 10,000 weapons. Collaborative efforts – including the establishment of a Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell in partnership with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency – further highlight the administration’s determination to secure the nation.

The Minister also noted that the creation of a Ministry of Livestock Development is set to harness a multi-billion-pound agricultural opportunity, potentially transforming rural communities and empowering millions, particularly women and youth. With falling grain prices, the government’s measures in food security signal a broader commitment to economic stability.

Concluding his address, Minister Idris outlined the key priorities of the “Budget of Restoration” for 2025, a proposal that has been revised upward to N54.2 trillion. Allocations prioritise security, infrastructure, education and health, reflecting President Tinubu’s vision of securing peace and rebuilding prosperity. The Minister affirmed that the reforms – from a reformed tax regime to increased fiscal headroom – will not only enhance government efficiency but also put more money in the pockets of Nigerians through initiatives such as student loans, cash transfers and business grants.

In a message of hope and determination, Minister Idris assured citizens that under President Tinubu’s reform agenda, the journey of transformation is well underway and that the best is yet to come. He urged all Nigerians to seize the opportunities presented by these initiatives and to look forward to a future where no one is left behind.