First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has defended the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing them as difficult but necessary measures aimed at laying a strong foundation for Nigeria’s long-term development and ensuring future generations benefit from the country’s resources.

Speaking at the opening of the second-quarter review meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) at the State House in Abuja, Mrs Tinubu said the administration was rebuilding key national structures to create lasting legacies beyond its tenure.

She acknowledged that the removal of fuel subsidy brought significant hardship but maintained that the policy was essential to reposition the economy for sustainable growth.

“What we are doing in this administration is to make sure that even generations unborn will benefit. The President has had to rebuild and rejig many foundations so we can leave lasting legacies,” she said.

The First Lady urged young Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities available through government ministries, departments and agencies, encouraging them to seek information on employment, training and empowerment programmes rather than assume such opportunities do not exist.

Highlighting the achievements of the Renewed Hope Initiative over the past three years, Mrs Tinubu said the programme has impacted thousands of Nigerians through interventions in agriculture, education, healthcare, economic empowerment and social welfare.

She disclosed that the initiative had committed N2 billion to tuberculosis control, N1 billion to breast cancer interventions and N500 million to food and nutrition programmes, alongside scholarships, ICT training, grants for small businesses and support for persons with disabilities and elderly citizens.

The First Lady also unveiled plans to expand the National Food Bank Programme across the six geopolitical zones to combat child malnutrition and provide nutrition support for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

She explained that the food banks would be located close to primary healthcare centres to ensure easy access to food supplements and healthcare services for vulnerable families.

Mrs Tinubu called on the wives of state governors to identify and support malnourished children in their respective states, insisting that no Nigerian child should go hungry.

She added that the initiative is working with partners, including the Bank of Agriculture, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dangote and the National Population Commission, to strengthen the food bank programme.

Reaffirming her optimism about the country’s future, the First Lady urged Nigerians not to lose hope, embrace agriculture and innovation, and support the government’s efforts to build a stronger and more prosperous nation.