Mohammed Idris: Tinubu's hard decisions beginning to bear fruit | TheCable
He spoke on Friday, at the eighth edition of the ministerial press briefing session, which held at the National Press Centre in Abuja.
Idris cited from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to drive home his point.
“Today, I am pleased to announce encouraging news from the National Bureau of Statistics, which released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April 2025, yesterday,” he said.
“According to the report, the headline inflation rate for April stood at 23.71%, representing a decrease of 0.52% from the 24.23% recorded in March 2025.
“Similarly, month-on-month, inflation dropped by a notable 2.04%, from 3.90% in March to 1.86% in April.
“This has not happened by chance. The president’s focused interventions are clearly paying off. The benefits of reform, though gradual, are real and measurable.”
He said one of the major contributors to inflation — food prices — have begun to stabilise due to targeted efforts by the Tinubu administration.
“One of the key indicators of relief is the food inflation rate. While food prices remain an important concern for many Nigerians, the year-on-year food inflation rate eased to 21.26% in April. On a month-on-month basis, it slowed to 2.06%, down from 2.18% in March,” he added.
“This positive movement has largely been driven by price reductions in staple items such as maize flour, wheat grain, yam flour, okro, soya beans, rice, and beans.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we acknowledge that we are not yet where we desire to be. But these latest figures give us every reason to be hopeful.
“They show that the hard decisions are beginning to bear fruit. And as inflation eases, we expect to see corresponding improvements in consumer purchasing power and living conditions.”
He said the government will continue on the path of reforms and focus on people-centred policies aimed at improving lives and restoring economic stability.
Idris said the platform has not been moved abroad, contrary to reports circulating in the media.
“This is your answer to the insinuation that the press briefing session is relocating abroad,” he said.
“We have our responsibility, first to the Nigerian nation, and that’s why we invite these ministers to come here and address Nigerians and those outside this country directly from nowhere but the National Press Centre here in Abuja.
“So if you think that the ministerial press briefing, for those who are already making the insinuation that it’s being moved outside this country, it is false.
“The platform that the federal ministry of information and national orientation is providing, is what is happening here in the country.”
He urged the media to play a constructive role in sharing positive developments, adding that the administration remains accountable to the Nigerian people.
The event was attended by Hannatu Musawa, minister of arts, culture and the creative economy; Joseph Utsev, minister of water resources and sanitation; and David Umahi, minister of works.