By John Umeh
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has suggested that a growing number of Nigerians may eventually call for constitutional changes that would allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office beyond the traditional two-term limit.
The monarch made the remark on Sunday while congratulating the President on his 74th birthday. In a statement released through his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, the traditional ruler praised Tinubu’s leadership style, describing him as decisive and focused on rebuilding national confidence.
According to the Oluwo, Tinubu’s approach to governance has convinced many citizens that continuity in leadership could further strengthen ongoing reforms.
He noted that the President had taken bold steps to address long-standing economic challenges, particularly through measures aimed at tackling illegal practices that previously hindered growth.
The royal father also pointed to what he described as improvements in key economic indicators, including the performance of the naira and a significant rise in Nigeria’s foreign reserves. He stated that reserves had grown from roughly $1bn to between $49.5bn and $50.45bn as of late February and March 2026.
Oba Akanbi attributed these developments to structural reforms introduced by the administration, such as exchange rate unification, increased oil production, and renewed foreign investor confidence.
He further commended Tinubu for granting autonomy to local governments, boosting allocations to states, expanding road construction, and strengthening the distribution of palliatives at the grassroots level.
The monarch observed that previous administrations attempted similar reforms but retreated due to political resistance and public backlash. He maintained that strong leadership was necessary to implement difficult but essential policies.
According to him, Tinubu’s willingness to pursue tough decisions despite criticism demonstrates what he described as uncommon courage and leadership.
He added that while the reforms may still be unfolding, early signs indicated gradual improvement in living standards, with stability expected in the next phase.
Oba Akanbi also highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Sokoto-Badagry highway, describing them as indicators of the administration’s commitment to long-term development.
