VIDEO: My father didn’t choose the Nigeria he inherited — Seyi Tinubu

Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said his father’s administration chose to confront the challenges it inherited, for the benefit of younger Nigerians and future generations.

He spoke on Monday at the maiden edition of the Seyi Tinubu Colloquium, held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. The event was themed “Shaping the Future Together.”

He said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not choose Nigeria, did not choose the Nigeria inherited from his predecessors, yet his administration chose to confront the challenges of our nation, not for itself alone, but for the benefits of those who come next, for us, the young generation.”

Seyi described the removal of the fuel subsidy, the reform of the foreign exchange system and the overhaul of taxation as decisions about how Nigeria earns, spends and creates opportunities.

He admitted that the changes had been hard on families, but said the benefits would last.

“Changes have not been easy. Families whose budgets have been stretched, the pain was immediate, the lasting improvement more difficult to feel and touch, yet they are no less real.”

He pointed to infrastructure and investment as evidence of progress. New roads and superhighways, he said, would link producers to markets and people to work, while renewed investment in power, mining, manufacturing and agriculture was opening opportunities and making Nigerian businesses more productive.

“New roads and superhighways will connect producers to markets, people to work.

“Renewed investment in sectors such as power, mining, manufacturing and agriculture is creating exciting new opportunities and making Nigerian businesses more productive than they have ever been before.”

Seyi also spoke about institutions that widen access to education and credit, which he said would outlast any administration.

“Institutions that widen access to education and credit for every Nigerian, that means to develop the ability in a globally competitive market. These are the foundations whose values extend beyond any administration.

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“A road built today will serve people who are still children. An institution strengthened today can protect opportunities for Nigerians yet unborn.”

He said he backed the direction of the reforms because his generation needed an economy that rewards effort and a country able to support its people’s ambitions.

“I support this direction because our generation needs an economy in which every effort has a fair chance of yielding reward.

“We need a country capable of supporting the ambition of its people. I support President Bola Tinubu’s reforms because we will inherit a future built by leaders of today.”

Seyi urged young Nigerians to take part in leadership so that today’s decisions would benefit them tomorrow.

“That is why I also believe we have the responsibility to participate in the leadership and ensure that what is decided today will benefit all of us tomorrow.”