Seun Onigbinde, founder of the civil advocacy organization BudgIT, has voiced criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that it began on a “wrong footing” with policies such as the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange windows.
Speaking on Channels Television’s *Inside Sources* with Laolu Akande, Onigbinde argued that many of Tinubu’s decisions lacked expert input and were driven by political opportunism rather than technical expertise. He noted that Tinubu’s cabinet is heavily populated by politicians who received their positions as political rewards, leading to what he described as a “dearth of technocratic leadership.”
“Honestly speaking, I don’t think they’ve started well. There is an over-extension of political opportunism,” Onigbinde remarked, expressing concern that major decisions were made without adequate expert guidance.
Onigbinde suggested that Tinubu should consider bringing in technocrats similar to figures like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Finance Minister and current WTO Director-General; Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, former Central Bank Governor; and Akinwunmi Adesina, current President of the African Development Bank. He noted that the initial removal of the fuel subsidy was poorly timed and criticized the floating exchange rate for causing currency instability without sufficient safeguards.
He urged the President to reflect on his goals, asking, “Do I want to govern, or do I want to do politics?” and advised Tinubu to dismiss additional cabinet members in favor of technocrats who can provide sound, expert guidance.
