Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership capacity and urged him to rise to the occasion in addressing Nigeria’s complex socio-economic challenges. The call came during the South-East Economic and Security Summit held in Owerri, Imo State, where Soludo made a rousing appeal to the president, referencing his legacy as Lagos State Governor.
Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), praised Tinubu’s transformative work in Lagos—particularly his efforts in reclaiming and developing areas of the Atlantic Ocean as commercial and residential hubs. He pointedly remarked, “You tamed the Atlantic Ocean. If you can do that, you can fix Nigeria.”
His comment drew both applause and reflection from a diverse audience of political leaders, business moguls, traditional rulers, and civil society members gathered to deliberate on the South-East region’s security and economic development.
A Call for National Transformation
Governor Soludo emphasized that Nigeria stands at a crossroads and that transformational leadership, like the kind Tinubu exhibited in Lagos, is needed now more than ever. He urged the president to leverage his experience, political will, and reformist mindset to revamp Nigeria’s ailing economy, tackle corruption, and resolve long-standing structural inefficiencies.
Soludo stated:
“We are looking up to you, Mr. President. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not new to solving problems. You’ve done it in Lagos when many thought it was impossible. What you did by reclaiming and developing the Atlantic shoreline was once thought a dream. That is the same boldness we need to rescue Nigeria.”
He added that the challenges facing the nation—including rising insecurity, inflation, youth unemployment, and dilapidated infrastructure—require courage, vision, and deliberate policy execution. “Nigeria is not unfixable,” Soludo declared. “We only need a leader who sees the nation not for what it is, but what it can become.”
Security: A Common South-East Concern
The summit, themed “Rebuilding Trust, Peace, and Prosperity in the South-East,” also focused on the pressing issue of regional security. Soludo joined other governors from the region in condemning the activities of armed non-state actors and called for a united front to restore law and order.
According to Soludo, insecurity in the South-East—ranging from violent separatist agitations to criminal kidnappings—has stifled investment and instilled fear in communities. He advocated for a regional security framework supported by the federal government, alongside community-based intelligence mechanisms.
“Insecurity anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere,” he warned. “If we must build our region and attract both local and foreign investment, we must first guarantee safety and rule of law.”
🟦 Tinubu’s Legacy in Lagos: A Model?
Soludo’s praise of Tinubu’s Lagos legacy was not without reason. During Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos Governor from 1999 to 2007, he spearheaded projects like the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Eko Atlantic City initiative, which involved land reclamation from the Atlantic Ocean to create a new urban district. These achievements positioned Lagos as West Africa’s financial nerve center.
Soludo, who shares a technocratic background with Tinubu, acknowledged that Nigeria’s problems are far more complex than Lagos’ but asserted that the president’s track record suggested he is not afraid of ambitious projects.
“He engineered internally generated revenue growth in Lagos. He pushed reforms in urban planning and waste management. These were tough decisions, and now Nigeria demands even tougher ones,” Soludo said.
🟨 Economic Policy Advice
Offering his economic expertise, Soludo called for urgent reforms, including reducing Nigeria’s dependency on crude oil, expanding non-oil exports, and adopting a productivity-driven economy. He criticized the subsidy regime as wasteful and unsustainable and praised the current administration for taking bold steps in eliminating fuel subsidies.
However, he also urged caution in the implementation phase, stressing the need for proper cushioning mechanisms for the most vulnerable Nigerians affected by recent economic shocks.
“The pain is real, but so is the potential,” Soludo said. “We need to rechannel our resources to health, education, and infrastructure. We need a new national economic vision that is inclusive, sustainable, and innovative.”
🟥 A Political Gesture or a Policy Challenge?
Observers have described Soludo’s speech as both a compliment and a challenge to Tinubu. While applauding past achievements, the Anambra governor unmistakably signaled the urgency of now. Soludo’s message resonated with the wider sentiment among Nigerians who are growing impatient for tangible change under the new administration.
Political analysts note that Soludo—widely respected for his intellect and reformist credentials—represents a segment of Nigerian leaders who prioritize results over rhetoric. His speech was not only a nod to Tinubu’s past but also a veiled expectation of future deliverables.
🟫 Conclusion
As Nigeria grapples with unprecedented economic and security crises, Governor Soludo’s message to President Tinubu stands out as a rare mix of praise, encouragement, and urgent demand. In drawing a parallel between taming the Atlantic and transforming Nigeria, Soludo placed the burden of hope squarely on the shoulders of the president.
Whether Tinubu will rise to meet that expectation remains to be seen. But for now, the message is clear: Nigeria is looking up, and it is looking to him.
