Agbakoba Urges Tinubu to Emulate Trump’s Governance Speed to Realize Ambitious ₦500 Trillion Budget
In a bold call for accelerated governance, prominent legal expert and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has urged President Bola Tinubu to adopt a Trump-like approach in executing government policies in order to successfully implement Nigeria’s proposed ₦500 trillion budget.
Agbakoba, speaking during a recent policy dialogue, emphasized the need for speed, bold decision-making, and efficient policy execution to meet the ambitious fiscal goals set by the Tinubu administration. He noted that without a radical shift in the style and pace of governance, the proposed budget figure may remain a distant aspiration.
“To achieve a ₦500 trillion budget, President Tinubu must adopt what I call the ‘Trump speed’—a no-nonsense, results-driven style of leadership,” Agbakoba said. “This is not about politics; it’s about operational efficiency and the political will to push through reforms that drive economic transformation.”
He explained that the reference to former U.S. President Donald Trump relates to his reputation for rapid decision-making and pushing through policy changes with urgency, regardless of controversy or opposition. Agbakoba clarified that while the political ideologies may differ, the velocity of governance seen in the Trump era could serve as a useful model for achieving results within a short period.
The legal luminary stressed the importance of institutional restructuring, policy overhaul, and a strong executive team that understands the urgency of national economic recovery. He urged Tinubu to streamline bureaucratic processes, empower technocrats, and eliminate systemic delays that hinder progress.
According to Agbakoba, the ₦500 trillion budget is achievable if Nigeria optimizes its resources, expands its tax net, blocks revenue leakages, and aggressively promotes investments, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and technology.
He also called for increased collaboration between the public and private sectors, stating that achieving economic transformation requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. “The President must rally both local and international investors, as well as leverage Nigeria’s vast human and natural resources,” Agbakoba added.
His comments come at a time when the federal government is exploring new fiscal strategies to boost revenues and reduce dependence on borrowing. President Tinubu’s economic team has been tasked with designing and executing a framework that aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which includes job creation, industrialization, and poverty alleviation.
The proposed ₦500 trillion budget is expected to encompass large-scale investments in infrastructure, social welfare programs, security, and digital transformation. However, analysts have warned that without speedy and decisive leadership, the plan may falter under the weight of Nigeria’s traditional bureaucratic inertia.
Agbakoba’s remarks serve as both a challenge and a guidepost for the Tinubu government, signaling the urgency of a governance model rooted in efficiency, boldness, and quick implementation.
Source : Swifteradio.com
