President Bola Tinubu said he remains proud of Lagos’s economic progress and continues to follow its development nearly two decades after leaving office as governor (1999–2007).
Speaking at a panel during the Africa CEO Forum, the president was asked about his record on local tax policy. He responded that Lagos is the fifth-largest economy in Africa and that he is “very proud of the legacy I left behind there, and I’m still monitoring it.”
The remarks drew reactions online. One commenter, Idaz, praised Tinubu’s composure and confidence: “We’ve never had this type of individual as president since 1914 amalgamation. The composure, confidence is always there whether at home or at international front. Indeed, sagoya no get equal.”
Qudus Akanbi Eleyi contrasted Tinubu’s legacy with that of a political opponent, saying, “If they ask Peter Obi what he did when he was Governor, he will tell them when China went back to China. Thank you, God, for not giving us a public disgrace as a president.”
Other responses included: “President Tinubu has once again displayed his high intellectual capacity, defending Africa without comparing it to China or Bangladesh. I know some presidential candidates who can’t do without mentioning China and Bangladesh,” from Adex Smith; “President Dey market Nigeria well to the world, I swear. The man we all want in Nigeria is President Tinubu. Imagine they asked you what obi what he did in Anambra for 8yrs na to Dey mention China China,” from B Bamgs; and from Rodemi Femi, “The antecedent of what he did in Lagos will always be remembered. Anybody who is contesting now and doesn’t have an antecedent to refer to is not worthy of being on the 2027 ballot.”
A video of Tinubu’s remarks circulated on X.
Separately, Tinubu’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, said he would have been sacked if he had not maintained a close relationship with the president. He recalled that the role of Desmond Elliot in a move to remove Speaker Mudashiru Obasa put him at odds with Tinubu, a development he described while addressing APC stakeholders.
