"Rice now ₦80,000" - Wale Edun says Tinubu's reforms working - Gistlover

In a post shared by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, Edun acknowledged that the country still faces tough realities but maintained that Nigeria has moved past its most difficult phase and is now recovering from an economy once on the brink of collapse. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has said that President Bola Tinubu's policies have set Nigeria "firmly on the right path," noting that the price of rice has dropped from ₦120,000 last year to ₦80,000. He also claimed that the prices of garri, pepper, tomatoes, and other essential goods have decreased. A write-up titled "Nigeria turns towards prosperity" -- shared by Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga and reposted by the Finance Ministry -- acknowledged that despite improvements, the country still faces "tough realities." "In this role, I often feel a mix of emotions: deep pride in our national journey, regret over the opportunities we failed to seize, and confidence in our direction of travel today," Edun stated. "Despite some historical shortfalls and present-day challenges, I believe the most difficult phase of our economic journey is behind us. Nigeria has turned a decisive corner. The road ahead will demand hard work and discipline, but we are firmly on the right path." He added that when President Bola Tinubu took office in 2023, the economy was "on the brink of fiscal collapse" due to slowing growth, surging inflation, and "market distortions like the fuel subsidy and multiple exchange rate regimes" that scared off investors. "The President's mandate was clear - dismantle those market distortions, reward productivity, and create a climate where private investment can thrive," Two years later, the results are evident at the macro level. GDP grew by 4.23 percent in the second quarter of 2025. Inflation, while still high, has moderated to 18.02 percent after six consecutive months of decline. The exchange rate has stabilised, and the gap between official and parallel markets has narrowed to about 1 percent, down from a peak of nearly 70 percent. Importantly, foreign reserves have risen above $43 billion, the highest since 2019. These are more than just numbers; they are the foundation for building inclusive growth that benefits every Nigerian. Notwithstanding, we recognise that the economy is ultimately about people, not statistics. Millions of Nigerians measure progress by the cost of food, transport, and other necessities. I am keenly aware of this reality. Food inflation has been our heaviest burden since it surged after currency depreciation and the removal of fuel subsidies. However, targeted measures are beginning to ease the pressure. A bag of rice that cost about N120,000 last year now averages around N80,000. The prices of garri, pepper, tomatoes, and other essentials have also decreased.