Vice President Kashim Shettima has defended the difficult policy choices undertaken by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 at the Invest Lagos 3.0 event, Shettima stressed that leadership is not about seeking popularity but about taking bold decisions capable of delivering long-term benefits for the nation.
“If you want to be a nice man, you can go and sell ice cream, but leadership requires you to take very harsh decisions,” the Vice President stated.
He insisted that effective leadership often requires making unpopular but necessary decisions for the greater good.
His remarks follows activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures and critics continuing to scrutinize the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.
Since assuming office in May 2023, the administration has implemented a series of far-reaching policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates.
While the reforms have attracted criticism over their immediate impact on the cost of living, government officials have consistently argued that they are necessary to stabilize the economy and lay the foundation for sustainable growth.
Shettima’s comments appeared to reinforce the administration’s position that difficult decisions are sometimes unavoidable in governance, even when they come with short-term political costs.
The Invest Lagos 3.0 event brought together government officials, investors, business leaders, and development partners to discuss strategies for driving investment and economic growth, with a focus on positioning Lagos as a leading destination for local and foreign investments.
