Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has underscored that effective leadership demands courage and the willingness to make difficult, often harsh decisions, rather than prioritizing popularity.
Speaking at the Invest Lagos 3.0 Summit held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Vice President defended the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has “taken the bullet for making painful decisions” to build a sustainable economy for Nigeria.
“If you want to be a nice man, you can go and sell ice cream, but leadership requires you to take very harsh decisions,” Shettima declared.
The Vice President explained that the administration’s reforms, though challenging in the short term, are essential for fostering productivity, discipline, competitiveness, and an environment where enterprise can thrive. He stressed that the dream economy cannot be built on illusions, highlighting Nigeria’s vast demographic advantage and potential as one of the world’s largest consumer and labor markets by 2050.
Shettima’s remarks come amid ongoing economic restructuring, including the removal of fuel subsidies and naira unification, which officials say are laying the foundation for long-term growth despite current hardships.
The Vice President commended stakeholders at the summit for their role in positioning Lagos as Africa’s premier business and investment hub, calling for continued collaboration between government and the private sector to unlock Nigeria’s full potential.