Tinubu’s Humane Side: Empowerment Schemes and Tax Reforms Amid Nigeria’s Economic Storm

Nigeria’s economy has been a rollercoaster lately, hasn’t it? Inflation’s through the roof, jobs are playing hide-and-seek, and the cost of living feels like it’s mocking us all. I’ll be honest—I’ve never been President Tinubu’s biggest fan. But even I can’t deny there’s something worth talking about in his administration’s latest moves. Empowerment schemes? Tax reforms? These policies are trying to throw a lifeline to everyday Nigerians. Are they perfect? Nope. Are they a start? You bet. Let’s dive in.

Empowerment Schemes: A Lifeline for the Vulnerable

First up, let’s talk about the **National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS)**. Sounds fancy, right? But it’s more than just jargon—it’s Tinubu’s attempt to get real help to real people. Farmers are scoring subsidies, small businesses are snagging loans, and healthcare’s getting a boost. The goal? Lift up the folks hit hardest by this economic mess: the poor, the rural, the underemployed.

Here’s the rub, though—execution’s the name of the game. Remember the fuel subsidy removal? It was supposed to flood the coffers with cash for stuff like this, but I’m still squinting to see where it all went. Without transparency, these schemes could just be feel-good promises that fizzle out. Fingers crossed they don’t.

Tax Reforms: Easing the Burden on the Little Guy

Then there’s the tax shake-up. In 2025, Tinubu signed four bills that actually make sense for once. Small businesses pulling in less than N50 million? No corporate tax for you. Basics like food, healthcare, and education? VAT’s off the table. And over a third of workers are skipping personal income tax altogether. It’s like Tinubu’s saying, “Hey, let’s give the little guy a break.”

Not everyone’s popping champagne, though. Northern governors are griping about the VAT split, claiming it’s a win for richer states like Lagos. They’ve got a point, but zoom out: these reforms are a rare nod to fairness in a system that’s often felt stacked against us.

A Humane Approach? Yes, But…

So, is Tinubu showing a softer side? Kinda. These policies zero in on the vulnerable—farmers, traders, low earners—and try to shield them from the economic storm. It’s a humane vibe, no doubt. But let’s not kid ourselves: Nigerians have been burned by big promises before. Subsidies vanish, schemes launch, tax breaks tease—yet too often, it’s all talk and no follow-through. If Tinubu wants this to stick, he’s got to prove it with crystal-clear action. No pressure, right?

Could He Have Done More?

Rewind to Tinubu’s days as Lagos governor. The guy was a dynamo—tax policies that worked, infrastructure that popped. Lagos became Nigeria’s golden child under him. But leading the whole country? That’s a tougher gig. At 73, and inheriting an economy that was already on its knees (thanks, Buhari), he’s got his work cut out. A younger Tinubu might’ve sprinted out the gate with bolder moves. Now, it feels like he’s jogging uphill in the rain. Lagos proves he’s got the chops—but Nigeria’s a beast of its own.

The Bottom Line

Tinubu’s empowerment schemes and tax reforms are flickers of hope in a gloomy economy. They echo his Lagos wins but wrestle with bigger, messier stakes. Are they flawless? Not even close. Are they progress? Definitely. For them to really hit home, though, he’s got to bridge the trust gap with results we can see and feel. Nigerians aren’t asking for the moon—just a government that delivers.

What do you think—can Tinubu pull this off? Drop your thoughts below!