Nigeria Election 2027: Will Tinubu Win Another Term as the Cost of Living Rises?

Campaigning in Nigeria begins on Wednesday, five months before elections that will be dominated by crushing inflation and President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms. Africa’s most populous country faces economic crisis and armed group conflict, but a divided opposition supports Tinubu’s second term bid.The economy is the most important concern. That’s the one thing that crosses across the country and continues to have an impact on security and development problems,” said Afolabi Adekaiyaoja, author of Nigeria’s political weekly The Bellwether.

Tinubu was elected in 2023 and has used his first term to push through ambitious economic reforms, including eliminating a hefty gasoline subsidy that had indirectly depressed prices throughout the economy for years.

Though praised by economists and investors, the reforms have triggered a cost-of-living crisis, with the naira’s value plummeting and inflation rising to 34 percent. Headline inflation fell to 15.4% in July. A slide into poverty that predates Tinubu has continued for millions, with the World Bank reporting that more than 60% of Nigerians now live below the poverty line, up from 40% in 2019.

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