By Milcah Tanimu

As President Tinubu marks his first 100 days in office, here are some of the significant highlights of his presidency:

1. Inauguration Speech and Fuel Subsidy Removal: President Tinubu’s inauguration speech on May 29, 2023, created controversy when he declared the removal of fuel subsidies. This decision led to a significant increase in fuel prices across the country, causing public uproar. The President later explained that he took this step to prevent the misappropriation of funds and promised to reinvest the money saved from subsidies into public services.
2. Ministerial Appointments: President Tinubu nominated 28 ministerial candidates in July 2023, with 45 of them eventually sworn in after a rigorous screening process. He charged the new ministers with the responsibility of restoring public faith in the government and delivering on the expectations of Nigerians.
3. ECOWAS Chairmanship: President Tinubu assumed the Chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) during the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government. Under his leadership, ECOWAS worked to address the political crisis in Niger, demonstrating his commitment to regional stability.
4. Suspension of Key Officials: Within the first few weeks of his presidency, President Tinubu suspended key officials, including the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa. These suspensions were attributed to allegations of abuse of office.
5. Appointment of New Service Chiefs: President Tinubu approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, as well as other top officials, replacing them with new appointees. This move was seen as part of his efforts to restructure and strengthen Nigeria’s security apparatus.
6. Address to the Nation: In response to the economic challenges resulting from fuel subsidy removal, President Tinubu addressed the nation on July 31, 2023. He explained the rationale behind ending the subsidy and promised to redirect the funds into public services such as transportation, healthcare, education, housing, and national security.
7. Commitment to Good Governance: Throughout his first 100 days, President Tinubu emphasized his commitment to good governance and the well-being of Nigerians. He called on his ministers to deliver and work towards regaining public trust in the government.

These highlights reflect some of the key decisions and actions taken by President Tinubu in his early days in office, setting the tone for his presidency and signaling his priorities for the nation.