The Arewa Voters Assembly (AVA) has said the World Bank’s October 2026 Nigeria Development Update has validated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, citing improved economic indicators, increased revenues to states and a reported N3.3 trillion waiver on fuel taxes, tariffs and import duties.
The group said the report, titled “Beyond the Federal Purse: How Higher Revenues Reshaped State Priorities,” showed that the administration’s economic policies were yielding results, while acknowledging the need to translate macroeconomic improvements into better living conditions for Nigerians.
In a press statement issued on Monday, October 13, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Iliasu Musa, and Secretary, Comrade Paul Katuka, the assembly described the World Bank’s assessment as independent validation of the administration’s economic direction.
According to the group, the report showed that Nigeria’s gross domestic product grew by 4.2 per cent in the first half of 2026, compared with 3.9 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025, despite disruptions associated with the conflict in the Middle East.
It added that growth was projected to average at least 4.4 per cent between 2026 and 2028.
On inflation, AVA cited a decline from 27.6 per cent in January 2025 to 15.2 per cent in December 2025, with projections that the rate could ease to approximately 12 per cent by 2028.
The assembly also pointed to improvements in Nigeria’s external position, saying the current account surplus rose to $12 billion, representing 7.0 per cent of gross domestic product, in the first half of 2026, compared with $8.6 billion in the corresponding period of 2025.
It further said gross external reserves increased from $45.5 billion in December 2025 to $53.8 billion in August 2026, reaching $54.9 billion according to the latest figures cited in the statement.
On government revenue, AVA said federation revenues increased by 69 per cent in real terms between 2023 and 2025, attributing the improvement to fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification and fiscal discipline.
The group maintained that state governments were among the biggest beneficiaries of the increased revenue, noting that capital spending by states rose by 151 per cent in real terms on roads, transport, agriculture, energy and housing.
It added that real social spending per person increased in 34 of the 35 states surveyed.
The assembly also said Nigeria had been listed among the top 10 recipients of the $112 billion in private capital mobilised by the World Bank Group in the year ended June 2026, describing the development as an indication of restored investor confidence.
According to AVA, the administration’s next priority should be to ensure that macroeconomic improvements translate into tangible benefits for citizens through lower living costs, improved household welfare and increased economic opportunities.
The group said the government had introduced measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices and reaffirmed its commitment to improving living conditions across the country.
N3.3tn Fuel Tax Waiver
A major highlight of the statement was the assembly’s reference to President Tinubu’s disclosure that the Federal Government had forgone more than N3.3 trillion in fuel taxes, tariffs and import duties under a full waiver for the year ending September 30, 2026, as part of efforts to keep petrol affordable.
AVA described the intervention as evidence that the administration was taking steps to ease the burden of fuel prices on Nigerians.
It also cited the decision by NNPC Retail to forgo its profit margin for 30 days, with priority given to public and commercial transport operators, as well as a proposed wholesale price ceiling of N1,350 per litre to reduce volatility in retail prices.
The assembly further highlighted the expansion of compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric transport initiatives across several states.
It said 100 CNG buses deployed in Kaduna had transported more than three million passengers, while recent deployments included 15 buses in Ekiti State, 20 in Lagos State and 50 in Akwa Ibom State.
According to the statement, Katsina State had introduced 30 CNG hybrid buses and 200 electric tricycles, launched by Vice-President Kashim Shettima on October 4, 2026.
Kano State, it added, had deployed 30 CNG buses and five electric buses, while Edo State was next in the planned rollout.
AVA said the interventions had resulted in reported transport fare reductions of between 30 and 67 per cent in some locations.
It cited the Masaka-to-Berger route in Abuja, where fares reportedly fell from N1,500 to N500, representing a 66.7 per cent reduction.
The group also cited a reduction in fares on the Enugu-Nsukka route from N4,000 to N1,600, while intra-city transport fares in Borno State were reportedly as low as N50.
The assembly argued that the fuel-related measures and alternative transport initiatives demonstrated efforts by the government to mitigate the effect of rising energy costs on households and businesses.
Security, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Health
On national security, AVA said the protection of lives and property remained a priority of the Tinubu administration.
It stated that the Nigerian military was adapting its tactics to meet global standards through training, retraining and the acquisition of modern equipment to confront banditry and insurgency.
The group also claimed that oil theft had reduced considerably and production had increased, contributing to higher revenues for the federal, state and local governments.
It said the stabilisation of the foreign exchange market had also enabled businesses and investors to plan with a longer-term outlook.
On infrastructure, AVA said ongoing road construction projects were creating economic opportunities for contractors, suppliers, artisans, transporters and food vendors while supporting locally manufactured products.
It also referred to the administration’s four legacy projects, covering approximately 3,000 kilometres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, which it said would connect with wider investments in rail, ports, power, healthcare and road infrastructure.
The assembly said food security remained central to the government’s economic policy, citing mechanisation, irrigation development and agricultural financing as measures intended to increase domestic production, improve farmers’ incomes and make food more affordable.
In the health sector, it said the administration had commissioned two cancer treatment centres and was working with stakeholders to improve access to affordable medicines.
On the energy transition, AVA said the Presidential CNG and Electric Vehicle Initiative had attracted approximately $2.5 billion in private investment, alongside about N250 billion in government funding.
It added that more than 120,000 vehicles had been converted to alternative fuel systems and that Nigeria now had over 400 certified conversion centres nationwide.
NELFUND, Social Protection and Youth Skills
The assembly also highlighted government interventions in education, social protection, consumer credit and digital skills development.
It said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had supported more than 1.6 million students, disbursing over N192 billion in tuition fees and N180 billion in upkeep allowances.
According to the group, the National Social Register was being used to direct assistance to vulnerable households, with more than 10 million households reportedly reached.
It also cited the Consumer Credit Corporation (CrediCorp) as an initiative intended to help Nigerians spread the cost of essential purchases.
On youth development, AVA said the government was expanding opportunities through the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which focuses on areas including software development, data science, cybersecurity and energy technologies.
The group added that the administration was giving attention to domestic refining, solid minerals and industrial production as part of efforts to diversify the economy.
AVA Challenges Atiku Over Subsidy Proposal
Reacting to the debate over the economic reforms, the assembly said the reported N3.3 trillion fuel-related waiver contradicted claims that President Tinubu’s policies were intended to punish Nigerians.
It maintained that a government willing to forgo revenue to ease price pressures could not fairly be described as anti-people.
The group quoted the President as saying: “I have a duty to provide relief today without compromising our children’s future.”
It also argued that increased revenues to states and higher capital spending reflected the benefits of the administration’s reforms, describing the development as an example of fiscal federalism in practice.
AVA challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, whom it accused of advocating a return to production subsidies, to explain how he would finance what it described as an estimated N7 trillion annual cost.
The assembly said promises to restore subsidies without a clear financing plan would be unsustainable, adding that the Presidency had similarly described the proposal as unrealistic and dangerous.
The group also urged Nigerians to pay attention to discussions surrounding the Electoral Act, insisting that the EC8A Form remained the authentic polling unit result sheet.
It further expressed confidence that President Tinubu would contest the 2027 general election and win through the electoral process.
Calls for Wider Public Awareness
The assembly called on support groups, youth and women’s wings to take the message of the World Bank report and the reported N3.3 trillion fuel-related waiver to markets, motor parks, campuses, churches and mosques.
It said wider public engagement was necessary to communicate the administration’s economic measures and the reported changes in revenue, infrastructure spending and transport interventions.
The statement concluded with expressions of support for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and President Tinubu.
It was signed by Comrade Iliasu Musa, National Coordinator of the Arewa Voters Assembly, and Comrade Paul Katuka, Secretary of the organisation.