President Tinubu Wins 2024 Man of the Year Award

By: Bayero Ade

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been named the 2024 Man of the Year by The Will newspaper, following what the editorial board described as a unanimous decision.

In its announcement, the newspaper highlighted the profound impact of Tinubu’s reform policies over the past year, noting their significant influence on Nigerians across various demographics. However, the editorial also acknowledged the widespread challenges brought about by these reforms.

In its statement, The Will wrote:

“President Tinubu’s reform policies in the past year have significantly impacted every Nigerian, old or young, in business, employed or unemployed, in ways unprecedented in recent history.”

Key measures such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira were central to these reforms. While intended to stabilize the economy, they delivered a severe blow to the already fragile economic landscape, leading to skyrocketing fuel prices, rising logistics costs, and sharp increases in food prices.

The paper cited data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showing inflation rates reaching alarming levels:
• Annual inflation jumped to 34.60% in November 2024, up from 33.88% in October.
• Year-on-year headline inflation rose by 6.40 percentage points compared to November 2023’s 28.20%.
• Urban inflation hit 35.07%, while rural inflation stood at 30.71% for November 2024, both showing significant increases compared to the previous year.

Food inflation was particularly severe, with the prices of staples like yam, maize, rice, and vegetable oil experiencing dramatic hikes. On a monthly basis, food inflation climbed to 2.98% in November, slightly above the 2.94% recorded in October 2024.

Despite the economic hardship, The Will noted the public’s mixed reactions to these reforms. On social media, many Nigerians have dubbed the challenges “T-Pain” (Tinubu Pain), though government officials have reframed it as “Temporary Pain” or even “T-Gain” (Tinubu Gains) to emphasize the potential long-term benefits of these policies.

The editorial concluded by noting that while Tinubu’s policies have sparked widespread hardship, they have also marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s economic trajectory, solidifying his influence in shaping the nation’s future.