President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has challenged Nigerians and critics of his administration to recognise what he described as the government’s achievements in infrastructure, human capital development and economic growth.
Tinubu said those who fail to see the progress being made under his administration may need “eyeglasses” to appreciate the roads being constructed, children being raised and the economy he said is growing.
“If they don’t see the roads we are building, the children we are raising and the economy we are growing, we will give them eyeglasses,” the president said.
The remark, contained in a video circulating on social media, has renewed attention on Tinubu’s defence of his administration’s performance as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu Defends His Administration
Tinubu has increasingly used his public engagements to defend the direction of his administration and argue that the reforms introduced since May 2023 are beginning to produce results.
In an earlier engagement with the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the State House in Abuja, the president acknowledged that the country continues to face economic difficulties but maintained that his government is pursuing reforms intended to create a stronger and more sustainable economy.
He urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and said the administration was focused on breaking the cycle of poverty and creating opportunities for citizens.
The president has particularly pointed to infrastructure development as one of the visible areas of government intervention.
Roads and Infrastructure at the Centre
Infrastructure has become a major part of the administration’s argument that its policies are producing tangible results.
Tinubu and officials of his government have repeatedly highlighted road construction, bridges and other infrastructure projects as evidence of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The president has also praised infrastructure projects undertaken by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, including new road networks and urban renewal projects in Abuja.
At the commissioning of Collector Road CN2 and adjoining roads in Katampe District in June 2026, Tinubu, through Vice-President Kashim Shettima, commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for what the administration described as accelerated infrastructure development in the capital.
The presidency has also argued that the impact of the administration’s policies is increasingly visible at state and local-government levels, particularly through infrastructure projects and improved fiscal capacity in some states.
The Economy Remains a Major Test
While Tinubu points to economic growth and ongoing reforms, the economy remains one of the most contested aspects of his presidency.
His administration’s removal of the petrol subsidy and other economic reforms triggered significant increases in the cost of living and placed pressure on households and businesses.
The government has maintained that the reforms were necessary to correct structural weaknesses and create the foundation for long-term economic growth.
Tinubu has acknowledged that the reforms have come with difficulties but has argued that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable development without confronting longstanding economic problems.
During his April 2026 meeting with the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, he said that where something was wrong, the government would correct it and move forward rather than retreat from its reform agenda.
A Message to His Critics
The “eyeglasses” remark is also political.
With the 2027 presidential election approaching, Tinubu is facing increasingly vocal criticism from opposition politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.
Both have criticised the administration’s economic record and questioned whether its reforms have improved the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Atiku has focused heavily on the rising cost of living and declining purchasing power, while Obi has argued that the country remains burdened by poverty, insecurity and economic difficulties.
Tinubu’s response has been to defend his record and insist that the administration’s achievements should not be dismissed because Nigerians are still experiencing hardship.
Link: https://x.com/Olomu_Aperan/status/2096470412314001889?s=20
Politics Begins to Shape the Economic Debate
The exchange reflects a broader political argument that is likely to dominate the 2027 campaign.
For the Tinubu administration, the central message is that difficult reforms are beginning to produce the conditions for economic recovery and long-term development.
For the opposition, the central argument is that government performance should be measured by the everyday experience of Nigerians — including food prices, transportation costs, employment, electricity and household purchasing power.
The disagreement is therefore not simply about whether projects exist.
It is about whether those projects and economic reforms have translated into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.
Beyond the Eyeglasses Remark
Tinubu’s comment is likely to generate political reactions because of its deliberately humorous and confrontational tone.
The phrase echoes an earlier statement in which the president said that critics who could not see the government’s progress would be given “Jigi-Bola” — a reference to eyeglasses in Yoruba — to help them see the administration’s achievements.
But beneath the rhetoric is a more serious political question: how should the performance of a government be measured?
The Tinubu administration wants Nigerians to look at infrastructure, economic indicators, reforms and government programmes.
Its critics want Nigerians to judge the government primarily by the cost of living, purchasing power, security and access to basic services.
As the 2027 election approaches, both sides are likely to intensify these competing narratives.
For Tinubu, the challenge will be to convince Nigerians that today’s economic sacrifices are producing tomorrow’s prosperity.
For the opposition, the challenge will be to demonstrate that it has a credible alternative capable of delivering better outcomes.
For now, Tinubu’s message to those who say they cannot see his administration’s progress is unmistakable: if they cannot see it, he says, his government will provide the eyeglasses.
