Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has defended the economic record of former President Muhammadu Buhari, insisting that the administration left behind a flourishing economy with strong foreign reserves and abundant business opportunities despite widespread criticism of its performance.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on July 13, 2026, Sirika praised the Buhari administration, describing it as one that laid a solid economic foundation for Nigeria. He, however, refrained from commenting on the performance of the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, maintaining that it would be inappropriate to publicly assess a government that is still in office.
Sirika’s remarks have sparked fresh debate across political and economic circles, with many analysts questioning his optimistic assessment in light of key economic indicators recorded during Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
The former aviation minister argued that Nigeria witnessed significant investment opportunities under Buhari and suggested that the country’s economic fundamentals remained strong at the end of the administration. According to him, the government pursued policies aimed at improving infrastructure, expanding investment and strengthening strategic sectors, including aviation.
However, critics have challenged Sirika’s position by pointing to economic data that paints a less favourable picture of the period. Available figures indicate that Nigeria’s public debt increased from approximately ₦12 trillion when Buhari assumed office in 2015 to about ₦87.4 trillion by the end of his administration in 2023.
Economic analysts also note that inflation accelerated significantly during the period, reaching 24.66 per cent, while the value of the naira weakened sharply against major foreign currencies. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth averaged about 1.4 per cent, a figure many economists consider insufficient to keep pace with Nigeria’s rapidly growing population.
In addition, poverty levels worsened considerably during the period, with estimates indicating that about 130 million Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty by 2023. These statistics have been cited by critics as evidence that the country’s economic challenges deepened despite government assurances of progress.
Beyond the debate over economic performance, Sirika remains at the centre of ongoing legal proceedings involving allegations of financial misconduct during his tenure as aviation minister.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the former minister over separate cases involving alleged fraud amounting to ₦2.7 billion and ₦19.4 billion. Prosecutors allege that contracts were unlawfully awarded to companies linked to members of his family, accusations Sirika has consistently denied.
His tenure also remains controversial because of the Nigeria Air project, one of the flagship initiatives introduced under his leadership.
The project attracted widespread criticism after the unveiling of what was presented as Nigeria’s national carrier turned out to involve an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft temporarily repainted in Nigeria Air colours for the launch ceremony. The development triggered public outrage and raised questions about transparency, project execution and the use of public funds.
Although Sirika has continued to defend the initiative, arguing that it represented an important step toward reviving Nigeria’s aviation industry, critics maintain that the project failed to deliver the promised national carrier despite significant public investment and years of planning.
Political observers say Sirika’s latest comments have reignited longstanding debates over the legacy of the Buhari administration, particularly its handling of the economy, public finance and infrastructure development.
As the former minister continues to defend the policies of the previous administration while facing corruption charges in court, the contrasting narratives surrounding Buhari’s economic record are likely to remain a major subject of public discourse, especially as political actors begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
