Let’s cut Tinubu some slack, by Ikechukwu Amaechi

Nigeria's political stability remains a critical concern for European investors eyeing Africa's largest economy. Recent commentary on President Bola Tinubu's governance approach has reignited debate about the health of democratic institutions in Africa's most populous nation—a conversation that directly impacts business confidence and investment risk assessments. The tension between supporting a reformist president and scrutinizing governance practices reflects a broader challenge facing Nigeria's business environment. Tinubu's administration has pursued aggressive economic reforms, including subsidy removal, currency devaluation, and fiscal restructuring aimed at stabilizing Nigeria's macroeconomic fundamentals. These moves have attracted attention from international investors seeking exposure to Nigeria's long-term growth trajectory. However, concerns about institutional independence and democratic safeguards have simultaneously intensified among both domestic observers and international stakeholders. For European enterprises operating in Nigeria, this dichotomy presents genuine complexity. On one hand, Tinubu's economic policies align with International Monetary Fund recommendations and address structural imbalances that have constrained Nigeria's competitiveness for years. The administration's commitment to naira stabilization and inflation reduction directly impacts currency risk—a primary concern for European firms managing operations across West Africa. On the other hand, questions about judicial independence, press freedom, and institutional checks on executive power create medium-term governance risks that sophisticated investors cannot