President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to its social contract with Nigerians, declaring that key promises on security, economic reform and poverty reduction remain on course.
The President made this known on Saturday in Abuja at the 10th anniversary memorial lecture of late legal icon and political activist, Dr Olatunji Akintunde Braithwaite.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, Tinubu said his government was implementing policies and programmes designed to improve the welfare of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.
‘Our social contract is very clear. From conditional cash transfers to support for the poorest of the poor, to cultural development and rural growth initiatives that help farmers move their produce from farms to markets, we are taking deliberate steps to improve lives,’ the president said.
He highlighted ongoing reforms in the education and healthcare sectors, noting that the government had introduced measures to expand access to university education for underprivileged but talented students.
According to him, financial support systems, including student loans, are now in place to ensure that lack of resources does not prevent qualified Nigerians from pursuing higher education.
Tinubu also pointed to interventions in the health sector, particularly for pregnant women, as well as funding initiatives targeted at small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), describing them as part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty.
‘The list is endless,’ he said, adding that the administration remained focused on delivering inclusive development.
The President used the occasion to reflect on the life and legacy of the late Braithwaite, describing him as a principled advocate for justice, equity and true federalism.
He noted that Braithwaite consistently challenged the status quo through activism and public engagement and was a strong voice for restructuring Nigeria’s governance system.
‘In 2014, he was a revived voice at the National Conference, advocating for a more equitable and united Nigeria,’ Tinubu said. ‘His contributions were not limited to politics alone but extended to broader national discourse.’
The President added that Braithwaite’s intellect and commitment to national development would have made him a valuable contributor to ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and deepen democratic values.
Chairman of the occasion and former Governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, called on political leaders to emulate the ideals of the late elder statesman, stressing the need for integrity and courage in leadership.
‘As we honor Dr. Braithwaite, we must ask ourselves difficult questions,’ Akande said. ‘Where are the leaders who will speak truth without calculation? Where are those who will serve without seeking reward?’
He emphasised that Nigeria’s future would depend not only on policies but also on the character of its leaders, urging public office holders to see power as a trust rather than an entitlement.
Akande described Braithwaite as a man who stood firmly by his convictions, even in the face of adversity, and whose legacy should inspire a new generation of leaders.
‘He showed us that leadership is not about winning elections, but about earning the trust of history,’ he said. ‘That is the kind of leadership Nigeria needs.’
In an emotional tribute, the late Braithwaite’s daughter, Omowunmi, said the memorial lecture was an opportunity to reconnect with her father’s legacy through shared memories and reflections.
‘I want to know him through stories, through public records, and through the impact of what he did,’ she said. ‘This gathering brings together those threads and allows us to revisit the ideas he stood for.’
She explained that the event aimed to preserve and celebrate Braithwaite’s contributions to national development while inspiring continued dialogue on the values he championed.
The memorial lecture brought together political leaders, legal practitioners, academics and civil society actors, many of whom paid glowing tributes to Braithwaite’s enduring influence on Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
The event also served as a platform for renewed calls for principled leadership and sustained commitment to national development, echoing the ideals that defined the late elder statesman’s life and work.