Endure the Pain, It’s for a Purpose – Shettima’s PA Tells Struggling Nigerians”

The Personal Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Domestic Affairs, Mahmud Muhammad—attached to the office of Vice President Kashim Shettima—has called on Nigerians to endure the current economic hardship, saying the discomfort is a necessary step toward long-term national prosperity.

Muhammad made the appeal in a statement shared via his handle on Monday, emphasizing that the economic challenges brought on by the Tinubu administration’s reform policies are aimed at laying the foundation for a stronger and more self-reliant Nigeria.

He described both President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima as leaders genuinely committed to the well-being of Nigerians and the country’s future.

“When we took office, the economic landscape was grim, with the debt service-to-revenue ratio exceeding 100 percent—a dangerous trend that threatened collapse if ignored. Yet, President Tinubu faced this head-on. From day one, he took bold, decisive steps to redirect the economy. He ended the unsustainable fuel subsidy and unified the exchange rate system. These actions weren’t popular—they were painful and controversial—but they were necessary. They demonstrated what true leadership means: not chasing approval but embracing responsibility,” Muhammad stated.

He urged citizens to rally behind Tinubu’s policies, assuring them that while the reforms may be tough now, they are critical for building a future all Nigerians can take pride in.

“The President and Vice President have made the difficult but vital decisions—reforms that may sting today but will yield a stronger, more stable Nigeria. Though some may lament the end of the old ways, history will record this administration as one with the courage to act in the nation’s best interest.

“As we enter the administration’s third year, I appeal to Nigerians: stay committed. The suffering we experience today is not meaningless—it is the price of progress. It’s the cost of real transformation. But beyond today’s pain lies the promise of a better tomorrow—a Nigeria where corruption no longer suffocates potential, where innovation thrives, and where every citizen, regardless of background, can pursue their dreams,” he concluded.