President Bola Tinubu has affirmed that Nigeria is achieving “serious foundational progress” as his administration’s ambitious economic reforms continue to stabilize the nation’s economy. The President shared this optimistic outlook during a recent meeting with a delegation from Deloitte Africa, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Ruwayda Redfearn, at the State House in Abuja.
During the high-level discussion, President Tinubu robustly defended the government’s fiscal and revenue reforms. He acknowledged that while these decisions have been challenging, they are undeniably generating positive results for the country.
“We are following the example of Deloitte’s greatness to change things from the foundation, building the necessary future for our people,” President Tinubu remarked, drawing a parallel to the global professional services firm. He elaborated on the nature of the reform process, stating, “Yes, reforms are difficult. It has not been a McDonald’s customer relationship but a harvester of good things, if implemented well, and that is what we are about.”
The President further highlighted that these strategic reforms have significantly strengthened Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue systems, effectively repositioned key financial institutions, and bolstered the country’s global competitiveness. He reiterated, “The reforms on revenue will continue to stimulate growth. And the effect of the reform? Yes, some issues are difficult to take the bitter medicine, but it is working well. For the economy, Nigeria is making serious foundational progress.”
Call for Deeper Partnership in Youth Empowerment
President Tinubu also leveraged the opportunity to urge Deloitte Africa to deepen its engagement in Nigeria. He specifically called for expanded opportunities in youth training and employment, recognizing the immense potential of Nigeria’s large and vibrant young population.
Reflecting on his own career beginnings, the President shared a personal anecdote: “The family of Deloitte; you just reminded me of my cradle years in accountancy and where I cut my childhood accounting teeth in Chicago. Deloitte has a good training programme, and I believe you will continue to reflect that.”
Reinforcing this message, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, also encouraged Deloitte to prioritize capacity building for Nigerian youths as an integral part of their collaboration with the government.
Deloitte Pledges Support for Nigeria’s Economic Transformation
Earlier in the meeting, Deloitte Africa CEO Ruwayda Redfearn commended the Tinubu administration’s reform efforts. She reaffirmed the firm’s unwavering readiness to support Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda, specifically pledging assistance for investments, youth development, and job creation.
Showcasing the firm’s global reach and expertise, Redfearn mentioned that Deloitte, which generated $74 billion in revenue in 2025 and employs over 500,000 people worldwide (including more than 6,000 in Africa), is prepared to deploy its vast resources to support the government’s strategic objectives.
“We are before you to say that we want to serve. We have a local team on the ground that is ready, as well as the global firm, to support you and support your administration as you lead the country,” Redfearn declared, underscoring Deloitte’s commitment to Nigeria’s growth trajectory.