- Dr. Yakubu Dogara praised President Tinubu for his courageous tax reforms, highlighting the need for bold leadership to address Nigeria’s challenges
- He urged critics to propose better alternatives to reforms, emphasizing that Nigeria’s recovery requires coordinated and decisive actions from leaders
Dr. Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has praised President Bola Tinubu for his bold leadership, citing his transformative tax reforms as evidence of a leader willing to make courageous decisions, even at personal cost.
Dogara made this statement during the 14th Convocation and 17th Founder’s Anniversary of Achievers University in Owo, Ondo State.
He emphasized that transformational leadership requires bravery and a willingness to shape history rather than merely witnessing it. “A good leader must not shy away from tough tasks and difficult conversations,” Dogara remarked.
The former Speaker criticized the lack of strong leadership, which he said had plunged Nigeria into its current economic challenges.
However, he noted that Tinubu’s actions, such as freeing local governments from state-imposed economic stagnation and proposing bold tax reforms, signal a leader ready to lead with unflinching courage.
“Courage has become a habit for him, and that habit holds the potential to transform our leadership,” Dogara added.
He supported Tinubu’s tax reforms, acknowledging they might not be perfect but describing them as the right step toward progress.
While respecting critics’ views, he urged them to propose better alternatives rather than outright opposing reforms.
“Leaders committed to progress don’t make poor judgment calls by rejecting reforms entirely. Opponents should clearly outline their disagreements and provide superior solutions for Nigerians to evaluate,” he said.
Dogara described calls to abandon the reforms as either bad politics, ignorance, or both, insisting that Nigeria’s economic recovery demands bold, coordinated, and decisive actions. He also highlighted the importance of sacrifices, accountability, and collective effort from all Nigerians.
As Chancellor of Achievers University, Dogara called universities to lead innovation and provide practical solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
He urged youths to take centre stage in driving transformation through education and innovation, emphasizing that a shared commitment to excellence could build a Nigeria that fulfils its people’s aspirations.