Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu deserves commendation, not condemnation, for the economic reforms initiated by his administration. Shettima spoke on Monday at the Delta state economic and investment summit held in Asaba, the Delta state capital. The vice-president also commended Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra, for supporting the Tinubu administration’s reforms. He said Soludo defied the “direction of the wind” in 2023 by telling Nigerians that the presidential race would not be won through “blackmail and intimidation” but by “grassroot support”. Shettima said before the Tinubu administration took office, Nigeria was experiencing “capital plight and scarcity”, adding that the country is now witnessing “capital inflows”. “Professor Soludo, you have done a lot of things for the federal government, especially in informing Nigerians where we were coming from — from reserves of $3 billion,” he said. “When we were experiencing capital plight and scarcity, now we are experiencing capital inflows. “Our foreign reserves have gone up to over $52 billion and counting in a turbulent world. Even the president deserves commendation and not condemnation.” Shettima said the federal government is ready to support credible investments and work with states to remove obstacles to enterprise. On May 29, 2023, Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves stood at $35.09 billion. As of June 2026, the country’s foreign exchange reserves had risen to $51.03 billion — the highest level since January 20, 2009.