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Protests: Issues around the issues
- By Magnus Onyibe
The four days of protests before President Bola Tinubu’s national address wreaked havoc on the nation so much so that our beleaguered country and its struggling economy suffered further damage, with about 13 lives lost and properties worth billions of naira destroyed. The situation was so dire that the presumed convener of the protest, popular lawyer, Olu Adegboruwa, reportedly expressed regret: “I appeal to the protesters to withdraw from their various protest grounds and suspend the protests immediately and indefinitely to give room for meaningful dialogue and engagement with the government.”

Five years ago, I called for a paradigm shift in our development strategy from merely fighting corruption to combating poverty and reforming policies that hinder development. This call was ignored by the previous administration, which continued its anti-corruption efforts without investing enough effort in combating poverty. The efforts devoted to solely tackling corruption ultimately proved ineffective, as reflected in Nigeria’s stagnant corruption perception index, while the fight against graft damaged the economy and the country’s image. As a result, the economy and the lives of Nigerians deteriorated, leaving the current administration with the task of alleviating the masses’ frustration after their painful experiences under the former regime.

Given this background, President Bola Tinubu, who promised change, was expected to quickly deliver the benefits of democracy. However, the delayed realization of promised economic reforms, which have had a severe impact on the general populace, has made the Renewed Hope Agenda seem like an illusion. That is why many Nigerians have been anxiously waiting for a drastic improvement in their conditions and becoming impatient as respite is not manifesting in their expected timeline.

Unfortunately, this expectation persists despite being unrealistic. The reality is that it is wishful thinking to believe that Nigeria’s current economic problems, caused by poor policies over the past four to five decades that were supposed to be ad-hoc but became entrenched and permanent, would disappear instantly. When President Tinubu finally addressed the nation on the fourth day of the protests, which had turned riotous, he outlined the steps taken to help Nigeria escape poverty.

Read Also: Hunger protest: North tolerated too much poverty, corruption – Shettima

Despite outlining the specific measures, some protesters and leaders from the main opposition parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), were not appeased. They argued that the broadcast, despite its calls for calm and dialogue, was self-serving. Fortunately, the nationwide tension subsided, and peace has returned to most parts of the country. This may be because the genuine intentions of the protesters were overshadowed by those with a regime-change agenda, as evidenced by minors waving Russian flags during the protests. The use of minors to display these flags is likely a tactic to avoid prosecution, as the 1999 constitution as under-aged individuals cannot be charged for criminal actions.

During the four days of unrest, three global events paralleled the protests in Nigeria.

The first event is the ongoing civil disobedience in the United Kingdom, fuelled by misinformation spread via social media, similar to how social media was used during Nigeria’s 2020 #EndSARS protests and is now driving the #EndBadGovernance protests. This disobedience was sparked by the tragic stabbing of three children in Southport by a 17-year-old, Axel Rudakubana, who was wrongly identified by far-right activists as an immigrant.

Although UK authorities classify this as an anti-immigration crisis, I argue it is xenophobia targeting not just blacks but Muslims and non-Caucasian foreigners. This attitude mirrors the xenophobic violence in South Africa, where locals attacked the businesses and homes of successful black immigrants. It is also similar to the events that happened in Nigeria in the mid-1980s when Ghanaians were expelled in an anti-immigration crisis dubbed “Ghana-Must-Go.” A few years ago, Ghana retaliated by antagonizing Nigerians doing business and living there, accusing them of dominating commerce.

These scenarios illustrate that global poverty crises are triggering protests against authorities for either implementing poverty-inducing policies or being lax with immigration policies that allow immigrants, legal or otherwise, to take local jobs.

Ironically, just as Nigerians are marching against hunger, Britons are rioting under the guise of anti-immigration sentiments against Muslims, Arabs, and non-Caucasians, whom they believe are taking their jobs and corrupting their culture. This intolerance is both sad and disappointing.

Surprisingly, Britons may not even accept legal immigrants, despite these skilled workers filling gaps left by the UK’s exit from the European Union. This situation highlights global crises of various kinds, with world leaders still struggling to find solutions.

These events underscore a growing global intolerance towards foreign nationals and frustration with leaders’ policies on socioeconomic issues and immigration across the world.

Ultimately, citizens are expressing their dissatisfaction through protests and at the ballot box, as seen in the recent violence in the UK and France, following elections that enabled far-right gains. This expression of discontent is a hallmark of democracy, which guarantees freedom of speech, so protests against government in Nigeria is not an exception. But forceful regime change which has been established as the sinister motive of some of the protesters in Nigeria is condemnable and thankfully and commendably, Nigerian security agencies gathered enough intelligence to figure it out and nipped it in the bud.

Compared to the British police’s reliance on technology and surveillance cameras to manage riots, the Nigerian police’s lack of such infrastructure has led to accusations of unprofessional conduct. However, the security agencies argue that their harsh response was due to a hidden agenda among protesters, aiming for regime change through subterfuge, which they were duty-bound to prevent as earlier stated.

In fact, it was rather disconcerting and surprising that the suspicion of a regime change became evident when protesters were seen waving Russian flags. This act confirmed intelligence reports, leading the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to announce that the military was on standby in case the police were overwhelmed. This position was echoed by the Chief of Defence Staff, Army General Chris Musa, in a subsequent press conference.

Although the death of even one Nigerian arising from engaging in street protests is unacceptable, the conduct of the Nigerian police, especially the commissioners in Edo, Rivers, and Lagos states, is commendable as they worked hard to gain the trust and confidence of the protesters, making the protests in these locations less destructive.

As the dust from the imbroglio or temporary madness that engulfed our country resulting in an orgy of bloodletting settle, it is hoped that both the administration and the masses have learned lessons from the catastrophic fallouts.

As a stanza in our national anthem enjoins us “…though tribe and tongue may differ in brotherhood we stand”. We should all do well to imbibe the wording in the national anthem which are critical ethos that we should operationalise as good citizens of our great nation, Nigeria. Our subsidiary fights should be against religious bigotry and zealotry as well as against ethnic jingoism which crept into the agenda of the protesters in the nasty incident in certain parts of our country, particularly in Lagos State.

Commendably Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu distanced the state government from the xenophobic outburst just as the President Tinubu has done in his broadcast demonstrating that there is zero tolerance for hate in our county.

As Nigerians, we must all rise up against politics of excluding any members of any particular ethnic sections of our country from living in any part or being in the leadership of our country.

•Onyibe, an entrepreneur, public policy analyst, author and democracy advocate sent this piece from Lagos.
August 12, 2024
Paris 2024: Apology to Nigerians
- By John Owan Enoh
The Olympic Games, Paris 2024, have ended, and I accept that our performance should have been a lot better. It obviously fell short of our objectives, expectations, and hopes of Nigerians. I must apologize to our compatriots and reflect on what went wrong while looking forward to the Paralympic Games, Paris 2024 (August 28 – September 8).

When I assumed office as the Minister of Sports Development in August 2023, I was confronted with the task of executing four international competitions namely the AFCON, the African Games, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in a matter of a few months. I was also reminded that the Olympic Games is the world’s supreme sports competition, and countries require at least four years to prepare for it. I held extensive discussions with the management staff of the ministry and got to know that preparations for the Olympics, which was less than a year away, had not started.

In the true Nigerian spirit, it was our view that we should spare no effort to sustain the international sports image of our country. Our target was to re-enact the Atlanta 1996 performance or even improve on it. To this end, we embarked on a progressive approach to drive forward the performance of our athletes and coaches. In my first week in office, I requested all National Sports Federations to furnish me with plans and programmes. I also embarked on a nationwide inspection of our sports facilities.

Subsequently, I constituted a Ministerial Podium Performance Advisory Committee comprising seasoned sports performance professionals to drive our preparations. At this time, we had hardly qualified for the Olympics in any sport.

We focused on both the AFCON and the African Games (both of which were happening in quick succession) while our athletes also participated in Olympic and Paralympic qualification tournaments. This had the disadvantage of compelling the athletes to attain peak performances several times within a short space of time.

I was also enlightened that athletes of many countries had qualified almost one year ago and had already structured their training programmes for the Olympics. We were not deterred.

I convened a series of meetings involving the presidents of the National Sports Federations, their technical directors, and secretaries general. These meetings examined the preparations for the competitions. The Ministerial Podium Performance Advisory Committee was in attendance to discuss and streamline methodologies and training methods in the best possible way, considering the time constraints.

After the African Games, subsequent meetings were limited to the federations that had bright chances of qualifying for the Olympics. Medals projections were made by all the federations, although their athletes were still trying to qualify; which lasted until about June. The concerned federations obviously prioritized qualification over preparations for the Games. This seems to have always been the case. This has to change.

Read Also: Hunger protest: North tolerated too much poverty, corruption – Shettima

At the end of the qualification period, the selection of athletes and coaches was the absolute responsibility of each federation. A few attempts to question selection after I got complaints were strongly resisted and defended.

To achieve our targets, we approved onshore training in different locations in the country in addition to the offshore training camps for our teams in Saarbrucken, Germany, and Sevilla, Spain. Ten out of the 11 sports trained in Germany.

The choice of the training facilities in Germany was based on the very positive recommendations of the ministry team and included the president of one of our federations who, as a former world champion and Olympic gold medal winner, is quite familiar with Olympic-standard facilities and equipment.

At the training camp, the Ministerial Podium Performance Advisory Committee offered scientific preparation and mental strength training support. The very high quality of their participation was confirmed by independent sources comprising athletes, coaches, and team administrators.

In all these, the President and Commander in Chief of the Federation, HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ensured that funds were not a limiting factor. Athletes competition requirements were provided, allowances were paid early, and training grants were disbursed to all athletes. I made myself readily available to deal with any issue throughout the competition. Therefore, the underwhelming performance of our team is puzzling. We owe Nigerians an explanation.

As a responsible organisation, we have swung into a review process. We shall evaluate the competition readiness of every athlete comprehensively, including their injury and medical history within the limits of patient confidentiality. The role of coaches and administrative staff will also be examined.

There must be a lot of lessons to learn from our performance and improvements must be made in all ramifications. The last time we returned from the Olympics without a medal was in 2012. The next two Olympics after that we’ve had a bronze medal in 2016 and a silver and bronze in the 2020 Olympics. As a country, we deserve more. Let’s turn the disastrous outcome of the 2024 Olympics to a huge positive for Nigerian sports.

•Senator Enoh is Honourable Minister of Sports Development.
August 12, 2024
How Sanwo-Olu’s ‘Empower Lagos’ initiative will boost youth employment, entrepreneurship
- By Funke Cole
In its quest to secure the future and boost the earning capacity of the teeming youth population in Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has come up with a novel idea which has the potential to transform the fortunes of the youths.

The initiative tagged, ‘EMPOWER LAGOS’ is part of economic efforts to curb youth unemployment and empower artisans, indicating that residents have the chance to learn technical and vocational skills that open the door to employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Speaking at the flag off, the State’s Commissioner, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Empowerment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe stated that Lagos State faces challenges with a huge population despite a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 4.13 per cent .

He said that, with a youth population of 60 per cent and an unemployment rate of 37.14 per cent, many residents, particularly the young, find themselves unemployed due to lack of enough opportunities and skill gaps.

He said that, hentrepreneurship

owever, there is need for a comprehensive solution focused on skill development, job/wealth creation and community engagement to mitigate the issues of unemployment

He reiterated that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, approved the launch of the “Empower Lagos Programme” in fulfillment of the THEMES + Agenda, to ensure gender equality, youth empowerment and social inclusion for all Lagos State residents.

Read Also:Protests: GAC members pay solidarity visit to Sanwo-Olu, hails governor for peace in Lagos

He further said that, “EMPOWER LAGOS” initiative is targeted at three categories of people- the post NYSC (graduates), artisans and Small businesses in the State.

The Commissioner said ‘the project would help to stimulate innovations and job Creation as well as provide the skills necessary to succeed in today’s competitive world irrespective of their profession’.

The Commissioner said that the “EMPOWER LAGOS “project will go a long way both for training and in provision of equipment grants to a minimum of 5,000 artisans and tradesmen as support aid from the Ministry.

Ajigbotafe stated that the Ministry will be supporting a minimum of 3,000 small-scale business owners with entrepreneurship training and start-up capital to foster innovation, self-reliance, and economic diversification.

He disclosed that, due to the challenges that youth face in blighted communities, the ministry is offering special empowerment training programmes and seed funding to help them build sustainable lives.

In addition, he said that we have POS machines and a start up seed support programme to provide a minimum of 1,425 youth with Point of sale machines and start- up seed funding to enable them to establish micro-enterprises.

He further stated that, “EMPOWER LAGOS” will also feature a job fair twice a year where job seekers can interface with their employers after completing our Employability skills development programme.

The Commissioner used the forum to invite stakeholders in the private sector to collaborate with the State government through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment to create a supportive network system to fulfil the journey for Greater Lagos.

In his remark, Director General/ CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Abdulahi, who was represented by the Director, Corporate unit, National Information Technology Development Agency, Aristotle Onumo, commended the efforts of the State Government for her commitment towards empowerment programmes for all strata of people in the State.

He averred that at the end of “EMPOWER LAGOS” Initiative at least over a 100,000 Lagosians would have actualised their dreams of becoming self-employed.

Speaking with a cross section of the youth demography in some parts of Lagos metropolis and environs, they lauded the state government for the initiative, stressing that it would go a long way in securing the future of the youths who are the direct beneficiaries of the scheme.

Wole Ogundeji, a resident in Ogudu, Lagos said the initiative is indeed a welcome development, just Fasilat Aderogba described it as timely.

“This initiative is one that has a lot of promises for job creation and can achieve its desired aims and objectives if all the parties involved play their parts well,” echoed Rev. Noah Ayoola, a pastor in one of the MFM branches along Iyana-Iba LASU road.

Under Governor Sanwo-Olu, Lagosians have benefitted from numerous programmes and people-friendly initiatives such as EMPOWER LAGOS in his quest to better the lot of the citizenry in the past five years.
- Cole, a public affairs commentator writes from Lagos
August 11, 2024
Otedola’s advocacy for economic fairness through windfall tax

By Arabinrin Aderonke

Femi Otedola’s endorsement of the windfall tax shows its potential to promote economic fairness and stability in Nigeria. Mr. Otedola, who has long been an influential voice in the country’s financial sector, argues that the windfall tax could be a game-changer for Nigeria’s economy.

The windfall tax offers an opportunity to redirect substantial unexpected profits towards the betterment of Nigerian citizens. By targeting the exceptional gains that banks have recently enjoyed, this tax enables the government to channel resources into public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. This move is not just about financial rebalancing; it’s a deliberate effort to tackle deep-rooted social inequalities and provide much-needed relief to Nigerians battling rising living costs. The infusion of these funds into essential services promises not only to enhance the quality of life for many but also to drive long-term, sustainable development across the nation. Mr. Otedola’s stance on this issue is both timely and necessary.

Implementing the windfall tax, while important, does come with its set of challenges. One concern is the possibility that banks might shift the financial burden of the tax onto their customers, leading to increased costs for banking services. Additionally, administering the tax, ensuring compliance, and managing its collection might present operational difficulties. However, these challenges are manageable with proactive strategies.

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By instituting a well-defined implementation plan and enforcing strong regulatory measures, the adverse effects can be effectively mitigated. With careful planning and oversight, the windfall tax can be successfully enacted, achieving its goal of supporting public welfare and addressing economic disparities.

The long-term impact of the windfall tax promises to have a lasting and transformative effect, shaping Nigeria’s future in many ways. For instance, directing funds into healthcare could improve access to medical care, while investments in education can enhance learning opportunities for young Nigerians. Upgrading infrastructure will support economic development and create more jobs. The windfall tax, therefore, is not merely a temporary fix but a move towards building a stronger, more resilient Nigeria. The benefits of such a policy will extend far beyond today, leaving a lasting impact on generations to come.

For Mr. Otedola, the immediate implementation of the windfall tax is imperative. In the face of Nigeria’s urgent economic needs, expediting this tax will enable the government to channel resources into vital areas swiftly. Taking prompt action is important to harness the tax’s full potential and address pressing challenges effectively, without unnecessary postponements and delays.

In the face of Nigeria’s economic challenges, banks must adopt a more disciplined approach to spending. Embracing the windfall tax promises to turn exceptional banking profits into a force for national good. By swiftly enacting this measure, we can transform unexpected gains into enduring benefits for all, paving the way for a more balanced and prosperous Nigeria.

Arabinrin Aderonke is an Award-Winning investigative journalist, finalist, 2016 CNN African Journalist Award. She currently serves as the technical assistant, Broadcast Media, Federal Inland Revenue Service FIRS.

August 10, 2024
Sick North, rioters and faceless foes
- By Abdu Abdullahi
Eventually, the nationwide protest erupted. Its aftermath in the North particularly saw deaths, destructions and lootings. Two symbiotic and organic elements were directly responsible: extreme poverty and alarming illiteracy, the invisible players of destruction of the North. Again, they tested their evil monopoly as manifested in the youths’ catastrophic adventure, leaving behind blood, sorrows, pains and despair.

Conflicts are repulsive yet inevitable, always laden with causes and effects. In most cases however, we are emotionally aligned with the latter, ignoring the former in its entity. We strongly condemned the reckless manner the youth perpetrated arson, looting and destructions during the frightening episodes. Many are still having a traumatic memory of the various video clips that captured the outrageous disasters of these belligerent youths. Yet, we are still chasing the shadow instead of the real object.

The lawless youths’ ‘volcanic eruption’ was a spontaneous reaction to the existing ‘class antagonism’, overtly resonating with the looting of public treasury by some political office holders across the country. Was it a class struggle to assert their supremacy in terms of breaking law and order? Was it a game of looting the looters? Did we really understand their language of fury within the social and economic context of their violence?

While the rioters believed in what they unleashed as legitimate, we saw it as illegitimate. Nevertheless, beyond their acts of wanton destructions and our deep lamentations, it is imperative to mesmerize on the inducing forces behind their sheer lawlessness. Before they murder the next sleep, jingoistic northerners who do not want the region to be on another fire should lead a rigorous and painstaking campaign of redeeming these exploited and oppressed youths from further degeneration. The final verdict is that all is not well with this class of young people.

Unlike in the South-south, Southwest and Abuja where the protests were peacefully conducted devoid of mayhem, the pathetic narration was that of unprecedented social disorder in the core north. We all watched how Kano and Kaduna were particularly the worst hit as there was a brief demonstration of anarchy. The unrelenting aggression of the’ hoodlums, miscreants, or thugs’ who unleashed the reign of mass calamities was driven by the two evil forces of abject poverty and imposed illiteracy. How did we arrive at that level of senseless behavior by those who are supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow? What type of future generation are we expecting in the North?

Sympathize with them or crucify them, these’ destructive elements’ are the bad products of our regional retardation. We made them what they are today through our collective negligence and display of social and political irresponsibility. To keep northern youths socio-economically dislocated, they will continue to part ways with sense of social belonging and the society is their sworn enemy. Exploiting every opportunity at their disposal, it will be easy for them to attack our social formation. Remaining insensitive to their fundamental right to education and their state of poverty persisting; we will be living on a time bomb. A philosophy has it that the only security is opportunity. Have we forgotten this philosophical sermon in our search for security in the North?

The unwavering upheaval that reared its ugly head was seen as an evil to detest. However, it was and still also a timely warning to the northern governors, political and business elites, traditional and religious leaders, the so-called champions of the North under different banners to accept the despicable outcome as a great challenge to work out possibilities of reducing and eradicating ubiquitous poverty, providing quality education for self-reliance among the teeming youths.

Are we having the type of leadership the North deserves? Betraying the essence of leadership is betraying the North and the unavoidable repercussion will be the occurrence of more social disturbances.

Read Also: Lagos moves to boost youth enrolment in military

It was disheartening that what lasted years for construction as a means of sustainable development that benefited the attackers directly or indirectly were devastated within few hours. On the other hand, was the perpetration of vandalism by the youths a ‘protest’ against their socio-economic degrading? Sadly, our belated and inactive responses to the process of social construction only ensure the youths’ full growth without proper development. We are all guilty of lacking the enigmatic spirit of inclusiveness as a viable agenda for development.

A scanty and disjointed meaning should not be the basis for our analysis of the unrest. It should rather have an everlasting effect on our sense of judgments for prolific deliberations and actions. It should have a broad meaning of socio-economic dimensions of our existence. We ought to engage our intellectual power to establish reliable facts drawn from the horrible experiences and infer what triggered the disturbance in the first place.

To this end, it is categorically clear to all stakeholders in the North that a notorious gang of young people unjustly dispossessed of economic protection and education is a potential danger to our existence. Already, the brutish bandits and insurgents are taking the lead role. Instead of preserving our regional integrity and stability, they are destroying them with impunity. Unfortunately, they are pulling down the very structures of their own house. We are victims of self-inflicted injuries but deploy little efforts to heal ourselves. Who will save the North at this critical time for the sake of Nigeria?

For the destructions of the North, therefore, extreme poverty and illiteracy are gathering momentum. They are hugely intimidating and provocative and should not be taken for granted if we truly love the North. The last protest should serve as an eye opener to do the needful and bring to a halt the menacing trend. To eliminate these twin diseases, all efforts must be on deck otherwise we will continue to be passing through the process of self-destruction and repressing our development fortunes.

Undoubtedly, the North is yearning for positive minds for positive changes. The message has been sent by the rioting youths without any ambiguity. It is a memo waiting for prompt and appropriate actions. Our governors ought to have a rethink of prioritizing human development programs and policies against needless physical projects. This will ensure and enhance an effective management of priorities to produce the desired results. Albeit there are different approaches to development, for our immediate requirement, the ‘Basic Needs Approach’ of development should be allowed to make a breakthrough and rescue our region from the brink of a precipice.

A region of ‘false attraction’, the North is endowed with many positive attributes for negative values. We are blessed with vast and fertile agricultural land but economically depressed. We boast of large population but a significant portion of it is afflicted with drug addiction, part of it consists of political thugs and professional sycophants, lacking innovations and creativities to move the region forward. We are proud to have produced a greater number of Nigeria’s leaders, yet we are comparatively backward. We are politically indomitable when it comes to presidential elections; however, our political will to reform the North is bankrupt.

The richest man in Africa and other business giants belong to us. Yet, we celebrate squalor in the midst of affluence. We are not resonating with the fact that ‘competition is not only the life of trade; it is the trade of life’. We are maliciously interested in building strong individuals for self-aggrandizement rather than powerful institutions and ideas that promote human development.

Our default learning process for development is very dangerous and requires reassessment. For instance, we are not learning what to avoid and what to aspire for greatness. We are not learning how to rise after falling down. We are not trained to be masters of our destiny and not servants of doom. We are incapable of breaking disabilities for the construction of possibilities. That is why building a bridge as a point of our convergence for moving away from adversity to prosperity has eluded us.

For the survival of the North, we must observe a paradigm shift from our erroneous belief in disabilities to possibilities. This can start with a gigantic and regional project such as the Northern Nigeria Development Plan. Under the auspices of eminent persons with impeccable character who must be apolitical, there will be clearly stated goals and objectives, the human, material and intellectual resources needed and the timing, the anticipated challenges and what have you. In the end, if we fail to plan for tomorrow and continue living in disarray, then the future will definitely fail us. We will continue to be under the illusion of precarious development instead of planned and orchestrated development. And our troubles will continue.

Beneath the rioting protests, the North is threatened by two faceless enemies, poverty and illiteracy. They acted as the commanding officers of the rioting youths, who wreaked enormous havoc on the vulnerability of the region. We must protect ourselves before we are consumed by these artilleries of destruction.
- Abdullahi writes via aaringim68@gmail.com
August 9, 2024
President Tinubu’s economic reforms and the youth
- By Ralph Omololu Agbana
In a pivotal address to the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu outlined a comprehensive plan to navigate Nigeria through its current challenges. Amidst the backdrop of protests and economic difficulties, the president highlighted his administration’s commitment to revitalizing the economy and empowering the youth. Two particularly commendable aspects of his address were the strategic economic reforms and the comprehensive youth empowerment programs.

President Tinubu’s address underscores his administration’s commitment to implementing necessary economic reforms. A key highlight was the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of multiple foreign exchange systems. These actions, though initially painful, were essential to eliminating the economic distortions that had plagued Nigeria for decades. The president explained that these measures were necessary to reverse the longstanding economic mismanagement and to block the profits that smugglers and rent-seekers had been siphoning off the economy.

In the past 14 months, these reforms are beginning to bear fruit and will eventually achieve their objectives. Government revenues more than doubled, reaching over N9.1 trillion in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, thanks to efforts to block leakages, introduce automation, and mobilize funding creatively without additional burden on the populace. This financial freedom has enabled the government to allocate more resources to essential social services like education and healthcare. For instance, states and local governments have received the highest allocations ever from the Federation Account, empowering them to better serve their communities.

Moreover, the president noted that these reforms had significantly reduced Nigeria’s debt service burden, freeing up funds for investment in infrastructure and social programs. This pragmatic approach to economic management reflects a dedication to creating a sustainable and resilient economic foundation for Nigeria.

Another notable aspect of President Tinubu’s address was the emphasis on youth empowerment. Recognizing the critical role of young Nigerians in shaping the nation’s future, the administration has launched several initiatives aimed at providing opportunities and support for the youth.

The establishment of the student loan scheme is a pivotal part of this effort. To date, N45.6 billion has been processed for payment to students and their respective institutions. This initiative ensures that financial constraints do not hinder the educational aspirations of Nigerian youths. Additionally, the president announced the creation of the Consumer Credit Corporation, with over N200 billion allocated to help Nigerians acquire essential products without immediate cash payments. This move is expected to reduce corruption and eliminate opaque transactions, making life easier for millions of households.

Furthermore, the administration has secured $620 million under the Digital and Creative Enterprises (IDiCE) program, which aims to empower young people by creating millions of IT and technical jobs. This initiative includes the 3Million Technical Talents scheme, which is designed to make Nigerian youth globally competitive. Despite the unfortunate vandalism of a digital centre in Kano during recent protests, the government remains committed to this vision.

The Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP) are additional initiatives aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the skills needed for the modern workforce. These programs, alongside significant financial support to expand livelihood opportunities, underscore the administration’s commitment to fostering a generation of skilled and empowered youths.

Read Also: TUC demands investigation into alleged invasion of NLC Headquarters

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent broadcast was not just a response to immediate challenges but a comprehensive presentation of his administration’s strategic vision for Nigeria’s future. By focusing on essential economic reforms and empowering the youth, the president is laying the foundation for a more stable, prosperous, and inclusive Nigeria.

These initiatives reflect a deep commitment to governance that balances economic pragmatism with social responsibility, offering a beacon of hope for all Nigerians.

The advantages of government-sponsored training programs targeting the digital and creative sectors for the youth are well documented. Globally, the digital and creative industries are experiencing the desired growth. Providing young individuals with sought-after skills such as coding, digital marketing, design, and content creation addresses a skills shortage and promotes economic expansion.

Digital proficiency and inventive problem-solving are essential for innovation. Such training can spawn new enterprises, digital innovations for current industries, and contribute to the broadening of the economy.

These competencies are globally applicable, enabling young people to engage in the international digital economy, draw foreign investments, and enhance national competitiveness.

In a job market with limited opportunities, possessing specialized digital and creative abilities helps youth to distinguish themselves, improving their employment prospects. Digital competencies are instrumental to unlocking economic prospects for the youth. Employment in these areas typically offers better remuneration than conventional sectors, offering avenues for financial stability and social advancement. This is the vision President Tinubu has for the young Nigerian generation.

As industries evolve with automation, digital and creative skills are increasingly becoming crucial in various sectors, rendering these investments significant for long-term success. Ensuring equal access to digital skills training, particularly for marginalized youth, can help close the digital gap and foster equitable opportunities.

The digital and creative industries are known for encouraging collaboration and innovation, thereby connecting young individuals and advancing social inclusion.

Digital literacy enables young people to critically engage with content, participate actively in online communities, and exercise informed citizenship.

Investments by governments can prompt reforms in educational curricula within schools and vocational centres, incorporating digital and creative competencies into conventional education.

Due to the rapid development of these industries, continuous learning is essential. Government initiatives can facilitate sustained training and skill enhancement for the youth. Investments in these programs typically require collaboration among governments, educational institutions, and private sector firms, fostering a cohesive and adaptive skills development network.

Investing in youth education for the digital and creative sectors transcends mere job placement; it equips a generation to prosper in an ever-evolving global landscape. By endowing them with the capabilities to invent, innovate, and guide, governments can unleash considerable economic and societal benefits for the coming era. Nigerian youths know that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is firmly on their side in preparing them for active participation in the global knowledge economy.

•Agbana, a journalist, writes from Kogi State.
August 9, 2024
Capacity building and skills development: Preparing Africa’s next generation of leaders
- By Noah Nuhu Dallaji
I find the above topic interesting because the inherent issues are at the core of major thoughts and conversations not only in Africa but also around the world for some time now. These issues are currently dictating our realities and will surely shape the future in some very remarkable ways. In this regard, present and future African leaders especially those in business cannot afford to overlook the impact of globalization which describes “how trade and technology have made the world into a more connected and interdependent place”.

Thus the net effect has equally made the whole environment so competitive requiring so much innovation to stay in business or stay ahead of competitors.

My framework here is to briefly identify the twin elements of the topic (capacity and skills and the next generation of leaders) and then delve into the nitty-gritty of what it will take in the preparation of the next generation of leaders with the challenging dictates of the 21st Century in an age of critical thinking and innovations.

Both skills and empowerment are allied components in practical terms since they are tailored towards equipping individuals, organizations or communities with the resources, skills and opportunities they need to improve their lives or businesses and achieve their goals for the betterment of societies. I want us to note that the basic empowerment we talk about here is majorly in the context of economic empowerment and the critical concern is the question of needed skills and the very important role it plays in the overall development process. Here we can look, for example, at job training, loans for starting a business, financial literacy, science and technology-based education, strong drive and enterprise, the right exposure and mentality, network or mentorship.

On the other hand, we examine the next generation of leaders as those who are interested and eager to increase their capacity to thrive in their individual lives or organizations, particularly those who are experiencing change, challenges and growth concerns. We have to understand that the next generation of leaders is not bound to a specific generation. Importantly, next generation of leaders challenge themselves to remain relevant, forward thinking and hungry to do better in an era we have so far seen as very competitive. For the above reasons, they seek to identify ways and means to equip themselves with relevant skills, knowledge and networks that will enable them operate more effectively in their chosen spheres of influence.

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Having said that, however, and for the sake of my preference and convictions, I want to somewhat restrict the definition of who are the next generation of African leaders to the youths who are heavily tilted to this topic than any other age groups or demographics. As President of the African Children Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF), I have had the pleasure of working closely with African youths and I can feel their pulse, challenges and aspirations. So, the youths constitute the bulk of the future leaders in Africa and we should see it as such and as a fundamental imperative to make every efforts to address their issues be it in policies and programmes.

With about 400 million population, dynamic energy and ambition, African youths stand at the forefront of shaping the future of the continent in diverse ways. It is estimated that these young people are between the ages of 15 to 35 (youngest continent in the world) and by 2050, one in four people on the planet will be African. In their burning desire for transformation, therefore, education and skill development are basic in equipping them to thrive. Even amidst challenges like poverty, poor access to education (I mean relevant and technology based education in the age of Artificial Intelligence AI and robotics), unemployment and underemployment and leadership constraints, the need for skilling and supporting emerging opportunities for Africa’s vibrant youths is now a major engagement and key to this topic. African youths want impact equity not aid. So let us join them to advance their hope and their ambitions and aspirations.

We must emphasize that Africa’s youthful population offers vast potential for economic growth but to fully capitalize on this demographic advantage, it is crucial to provide young people with the necessary skills and meaningful job and investment opportunities. They surely need and deserve broad based incentives either at the level of government, private sector or just public spirited organizations and individuals. At the African Children Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF), this is exactly what we have been doing over the years by discovering and harnessing the potentials of the African youths which we nurture for individual development. Every year, we conduct a merit-based selection process to pick some really talented youths from the arts, music and entertainment and sports particularly football and basketball for camp training and practical orientation and development. We do this by engaging experts and legends in the various fields who serve as mentors and at the end of the day, assessment is done and they are empowered in various forms to pursue their individual interest. Many of them are now thriving and that is the joy we derive from these endeavours as an organization.

I must add, too, that we have equally supported many brilliant students through educational scholarships in various institutions of higher learning at home and abroad. These are all our self-appointed responsibilities as philanthropic gestures and we believe the society is far better for it. Lest I forget that aside our successes and impact in Nigeria, ACTDF has also replicated this programme of youth empowerment in Liberia, Ethiopia, Congo and currently in Lusaka, Zambia and we hope to do more for the African youths.

So empowerment and skills development are basic to the preparation of the next generation of leaders in Africa and I quite agree with organizers of this forum in this perspective. But such empowerment programmes should be those that focus on creating lasting essential skills, economic opportunities and fostering a mind-set of self-reliance which could help in tackling the root causes of poverty and inequality and must be sustainable in a rapidly changing world where innovation is the force driving most successful businesses.

We also emphasize natural abilities, determination to make a difference and that the youths must not give up because the future of the African continent is in their hands This is how we can have more of the youths doing better than what we see in their current remarkable innovative leadership like in the fintech business, industrial entrepreneurship, the thousands of start-ups in various areas especially in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Kenya and creating such other large scale businesses and making their marks .

The takeaway here are basically that we should emphasize the vital roles of quality education and skill development, strong drive and enterprise, global exposure and networking, mentorship and entrepreneurial mind-set and innovation which are key to the empowerment of the emerging African leaders.

•Excerpts of speech delivered by Engr. (Dr.) Dallaji, chairman, African Children Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF) at the 100 Most Notable Africans Business Investment Summit, Kigali, Rwanda.
August 9, 2024
On Tinubu’s timely address to the nation
- By Zaidu Zaidu
In a bid to ease lingering tensions in the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed the nation with a speech aimed at reconciliation, reassurance, and charting a clear path forward for Nigeria. The president spoke in sober, yet unmistakable terms. His speech was reminiscent of great leaders throughout history who have faced moments of national crisis with firm resolve and visionary leadership. Like Winston Churchill’s steadfastness during World War II or Nelson Mandela’s calls for reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa, President Tinubu’s address emphasized unity, resilience, and the imperative of dialogue in overcoming challenges.

The president’s address comes in the wake of the #EndBadGovernance protests, which have caused days of unrest across various states and sadly resulted in the destruction of lives and property. Among other grievances, the protesters are agitating against government policies that have exacerbated existing hardships.

In his address, the president also saluted the bravery of the well-meaning Nigerian youths who are demanding good governance from their leaders, affirming the importance of their voices in shaping a better future for the nation. This was important in order to rebuff detractors who have painted the president as a leader distanced from the teeming youthful population of the country. This generation of youths have demonstrated in recent years a burning desire to see the Nigerian Dream work for good in their lifetimes, and in the president’s speech, he not only acknowledged their importance in the grand scheme of national progress, but also assured them with firm words and clear-cut plans of his administration’s alignment with their best interests.

No country can move forward without the full inclusion of its youth and their enterprising energies. President Tinubu’s speech shows that he is aware of this crucial fact in governance. After all, we have a dark history of numerous youths being easily radicalized to destabilize our nation through diverse acts of militancy, terrorism, insurgency, thuggery and outright anarchy. It was even with unmasked disappointment that President Tinubu pointed out that one of the digital training centres in Kano established to help the youths was shamelessly vandalized. His disappointment is understandable. How can one ask for things to be better by giving in to their worst impulses as human beings?

However, President Tinubu did not set out to completely malign the youths in his speech. Of course, he had to firmly restate his commitment to national security as the Commander-in-Chief. And he did this by reminding overzealous and disruptive elements that certain actions would be met with swift and dire consequences.

“As president of this country, I must ensure public order,” he said. It is disheartening that even as law-abiding Nigerian citizens trooped out to protest peacefully, what should have been a peaceful protest devolved into an orgy of burning and breaking in, looting and physical violence, with battle lines being drawn on social media platforms. In his speech, the president pleaded for tensions to be doused, and for constructive dialogue to be adopted as a step towards reconciliation. One can only hope that the sensible amongst us will sheathe their swords and give stability a chance. At this point in time, Nigeria cannot afford going down anything resembling a path to chaos.

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There is hunger in the land, yes, but we cannot resort to eating ourselves, can we? This is why, with a firm and reconciliatory tone, President Tinubu proposed forward-thinking solutions. And at the top of his progressive priorities was youthful inclusion and empowerment. For one, student loans are being disbursed to cushion the cost of education on students in federal tertiary institutions. Additionally, as the president disclosed, several initiatives and programmes are being put in place to enable Nigerian youths gain capabilities in technology that would make them “globally competitive”, allowing them to be on par with their contemporaries abroad. By stating this, President Tinubu showed that he is more than aware that a good education is no longer enough in this digital age: one must be trained to fit into the global digital economy before they can benefit from the opportunities therein. The ball is now in the court of Nigerian youths, who should seize the chance to upskill and hone their talents for their own good, as well as for the good of the nation.

Solutions require patience. Sadly, Nigerians are notoriously impatient people, always needing things to come “fast-fast” and “sharp-sharp”. But as President Tinubu pointed out in his speech, our current economic woes are as the result of decades of mismanagement, corruption and bad policies. As such, it is unfair to expect that the president would simply wave a wand to solve our national problems overnight.

“Yes, I agree, the buck stops on my table,” the president said, asserting his responsibility as a true leader, before acknowledging the part of the citizenry as he called for an “all hands on deck” approach to national progress. For him, everyone has a role to play in the national scheme of things, even those centrifugal elements out to sow seeds of dissolution. He more or less communicated the fact that a united Nigeria would quickly get back up on its feet, as opposed to a divided one doomed to never rise at all.

The president would go on to outline several plans and initiatives being put in place to ensure that Nigeria works even in these crucial times: from the economy to housing, agriculture, infrastructural development, job creation, education, healthcare, food production and price control. By putting measures in place to enable ordinary Nigerians afford basic food items and medication, including the signing of the new national minimum wage into law, President Tinubu shows that not only has he not stalled after he hit the ground running last year, but he has also remained sympathetic to the plight of those who entrusted him with the reins of leadership. In this vein, it is important to note that the president has proven himself to be a listener, as well as an active force for growth and restoration. He listens to everyone, not just the youths, and when he speaks (as he did in his now iconic address), he is able to make one feel seen, heard, cared for and included in the larger scheme of a national vision. Such is the power and essence of a true leader, that their speeches do not only communicate points, but serve as empathetic bridges to shrink the emotional distance between leaders and their followers.

The era of Renewed Hope is here to stay and no amount of division and hate would be enough to take this administration off course. That much is clear, and although it might be a hard pill to swallow for a few, most Nigerians are willing to give President Tinubu’s leadership the chance to succeed. The times are hard, yes, but they present Nigerians with the rare opportunity to achieve a crucial and historical turnaround, the sort that would inspire future generations to come. And with his timely address, President Tinubu basically offered Nigerians the chance to be a part of the solution, rather than remain discontent and frustrated. It is now left for Nigerians to respond positively to this by patiently trusting good captainship to steer our nation out of these turbulent waters and chart a course for greener shores.

One of the attributes of a great leader is the ability to make informed decisions that will have lasting effects on their followers. President Tinubu’s decisive action to address the nation amidst the crisis demonstrates this quality. His speech not only acknowledged the grievances of the protesters but also outlined concrete steps towards resolving national challenges and fostering unity.

“I have heard you loud and clear”; “I understand your pain and frustration”; and “I assure you that I will not only listen, but work to effectively address your concerns” are just a few of the ways that President Tinubu’s address was significant towards the validation of clear issues, establishing empathy, and assuring Nigerians of solutions to alleviate their suffering and pain.

In time, President Tinubu’s timely address will be remembered for the weight of its resonant optimism, and for daring to be focused even in the storm of cynicism, doubt and several other distractions. It did not sermonize, and it did not attempt to sugar-coat reality. Rather, it charged all of us to step up and get to work. “Let us choose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over stagnation,” the president said, and this can very well be interpreted as a rallying cry for Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to unite over the things that make us stronger, such as our hard-earned democracy and our values as a people. By doing this, we would not only be saving Nigeria in a moment meant to test our nationhood, but also set a worthy example for posterity.

•Zaidu is a public affairs analyst.
August 8, 2024
On Reps’ misplaced call for removal of Kyari/Ahmed
- By Abiola K Dada
The nation has, in the last few weeks, been steeped in a rash of arguments between the management of Dangote Refinery and oil sector regulatory authorities over the refinery’s operational practices, failure of adherence with standards, and other ancillary matters. The arguments had prompted some stakeholders to call for the sacking of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed. It is egregiously preposterous that some members of the House of Representatives would consider the call for removing Kyari and Ahmed from their respective offices as proper thing to do by the authorities that appointed them.

The call is utterly perverse and impetuous. It also paled into a needless suggestion in the face of dispassionate discharge of the duties of their respective offices as clearly circumscribed by the extant laws from which they derive their functions and powers.

Calling for the removal of Kyari and Ahmed when, sadly, the elephant in the room has not been exhaustively addressed, is jejune in the context of more significant matters engaging national attention. Unfortunately, and this is bad public relations for Nigeria, the dissonance arising from this has created adverse vibes, stimulated negative sentiments and produced troubling tidal waves for the country in the comity of nations-simply because at the centre of the hoopla is the critical oil and gas sector.

The very jaundiced position taken by some members of the House of Representatives in their sanctioned bid to investigate the factors working against the petroleum sector in the country is patently ill advised and unfortunate.

An unabashed pseudo-legislative assault on petroleum sector regulators during the pendency of investigation calls to question the neutrality and patriotism of the committee members, especially against the backdrop of feelers that some forces had compromised their integrity. Globally, industries-including the oil sector- are regulated and Nigeria is not an exception.

For the country to succeed and to tame the monster of corruption and improve ease of doing business, lawmakers need to be knowledgeable about the sector they oversight and do more in their oversight functions in the national interest instead of allowing mundane and pecuniary issues to becloud their sense of consideration and judgement.

All the extant regulations governing the actions of regulators in the entire petroleum industry value chain, especially the midstream, downstream and upstream sectors, are circumscribed in the Petroleum Industry Act. What the legislature needed to do was to find out if actions taken by the regulators aligned with the provisions of the PIA. If they aligned, then it would be needless to upbraid or threaten heads of the regulatory agencies with removal. Blackmail or intimidation of oil sector regulators by legislators, as had been done by some members of the House of Representatives should not be allowed to gain legislative footing. Committed players and regulators like the NNPCL and NMDPRA should not be hounded.

From the outset, Mele Kyari and Farouk Ahmed have doubled down on the delivery of their mandates. But, what, perhaps, they never took into account was the pain of those who were corruptly profiting from the old order and how desperate they were to undermine their patriotic efforts and services to the fatherland. These elements are working round the clock to have them removed from the headships of the regulatory agencies so that the plundering of our commonwealth could continue.

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The regulatory actions of Mele Kyari and Farouk Ahmed have upended the penchant for economic sabotage of the past.

With the leaderships in the saddle at the NNPC and NMDPRA, it is business unusual. Rather than kowtow to the antics of some vested interests, they have invoked the provisions of the extant law to tighten and strengthen regulatory framework and regulations. To build the falling walls of a country like Nigeria requires doggedness, commitment and discipline, bearing in mind that when the powerful and corrupt vested interests are challenged, they push back and seek to upset the apple cart.

Despite the weight of evidence at the disposal of these regulators, the powerful vested interests are ahead in the media with their contrived narratives. The antics of taking selected groups on guided tours of facilities are commonplace and conduces to the contrived media narratives.

A fallout of the tours is the “crucify them, crucify them” or “remove the heads of the regulatory agencies or sack them” mantra that has gained little traction in the National Assembly. This is extremely dangerous for our nation. It becomes even more dangerous if the appointing authorities pander to the media propaganda and trial.

The pressure and paid negative media campaign against Mele Kyari and Farouk Ahmed have become writ large. The patriotic ramifications of their regulation of the petroleum sector and the many giant strides they have recorded in the saddle should commend them to President Bola Tinubu who is the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources, to wit: to ignore the antics of those who never wished Nigeria well because of their selfish and pecuniary interests. However, kudos should go to a group of patriotic members of the House of Representatives who last Thursday weighed in and dismissed the recent call by Hon. Philip Agbese for the removal of Kyari and Farouk as premature and against parliamentary culture. Leading a 50-member strong House of Reps group, Hon. Billy Famous Osawaru (Edo State) maintained that it was against the rules of the House to jump into conclusions in a matter that was still under investigation by designated House Committee.

Osawaru had taught the other party a little bit of law and justice that is anchored on the principle of fair hearing. He emphasized that parties should be afforded the right to fair hearing since investigation was still on, and that the committee handling the probe should not be pre-empted, influenced or distracted in the course of carrying out its legislative assignment.

The efforts of Osawaru and his colleagues should be commended as they would ultimately help to foster harmony and peace in the land. Similarly, stakeholders in the petroleum industry value chain must think about the good of Nigeria above any other interest. Washing the supposed dirty linen of the country openly has not only brought shame to Nigeria at home, but also in the international arena.

This is the time for the president to weigh in to stop this disturbing situation by helping to empower, protect and strengthen oil sector regulators no matter whose ox is gored and as long as it is justifiably gored. Mele and Farouk’s stewardships have been largely characterised by strategic investments and regulations that have boosted Nigeria’s oil and gas production capacity and enhanced national development.

No country survives under a monopolistic market. Nigeria must be allowed to breathe. I hope the House of Reps members who are working in cahoots with vested interests to undermine regulatory capacities in the oil sector realize the ramifications of their action. In any case, while one would want the investigation carried out to its logical conclusion, such a process must be stripped of any personal or political vendetta, victimization, mischief and muscle flexing.

Once this is done, facts on ground will simply point to the canonization of Kyari and Ahmed and not their demonization. In particular, given the historical opacity in the administration of NNPC, Mele Kyari should be commended for dismantling that culture through his Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE) philosophy in the NNPC on which the company has been run since he stepped in the saddle for profitability as well as publication of the books of the company for public information and scrutiny.

• Dada, a petro-physical engineer, writes in from Lagos.
August 8, 2024
Repositioning the Civil Service for democratic governance
- By Ifeanyi Chukwu Afuba
Whether said openly or in hushes, there’s a perception out there that the country’s civil services are underperforming. This poor rating of the federal and state bureaucracies is shared strongly by leaders of governments across the country. It would account, in part, for the unwillingness of political leaders to accede to meaningful wage increase for workers. Dating back to the still-born Third Republic, we have seen some state governors proposing reduction in number of working days as alternative to wage increase. But this recommendation would only be running away from a problem.

Since the focus is on greater performance, we should be concerned with feasible approaches for “recreating” the Civil Service. Although several civil service reforms have been attempted in the past, it is to be noted that the challenges facing the administrative organ of government in the country are neither static nor permanent. They continue to vary in time, shape and content being themselves impacted by the forces of sociology and development. Furthermore, past civil service reforms tended to prioritize the bolstering of the leadership cadres rather than sustainable development of the entire workforce.

The Civil Service Reforms of 1988, remarkable for its emphasis on career professionalism, weighed in favour of potential heads of MDAs. Rising to the apex is invariably a pyramid trip, with the number of successful candidates narrowing in the progression. While the concept of Director General created room for non-administrative officers to attain the equivalent of Permanent Secretary, this did not stir noticeable ‘interest’ in the middle and lower rungs. The new headship position was not an attraction nor incentive for hard work because the prospect of attainment was not in view.

Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Soludo recently tried to extend the stakes factor in the appointment of 18 new permanent secretaries. This harvest of “accounting” officers for Ministries, Departments and Agencies was unique in its extent of competitiveness. The recruitment process broke with tradition in two significant ways. Pre-qualification was thrown open to all in senior management cadre. Secondly, applications were also invited from outside the Civil Service for candidates with cognate experience for the job. Doubtless, these provided a wider, richer resource pool for talents. The experiment with private sector engagement however, did not yield the intended input. The vacancies were probably not sufficiently publicized or the age factor vis-à-vis the conditions of service was seen as a disadvantage. Civil Servants retire at 60 with pension rights proportionate to number of service years. Consequently, a folk assuming permanent secretary-ship from outside the system at say, age 55 will leave at retirement age without being qualified for pension and gratuity.

In the context of inclusivity, there is need to give the middle and lower rungs of the service not just a sense of belonging but indeed, opportunity of stakeholdership. Thus, at the various levels of the system, conditions can be created for recognition and reward of sterling performance to serve as general motivation.

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A major problem of the Civil Service rarely captured by past reform studies is the negative attitude of many officers to democratic governments. This is a case of widespread resentment arising from the “corruption” of military rule. Till date, many civil servants rate military regimes as generally performing better than democracies. But this preference for military dictatorship actually has to do with the sense of marginalisation associated with democratic dispensations.

It is to be remembered that military rule was structurally and politically dependent on the Civil Service for its operation. This administrative necessity opened handsome opportunities for power play among civil servants. The hitherto anonymous bureaucrats became secretary to federal/state governments; resident; senior divisional officer; local government chairman; sole administrator of parastatals and agencies, heads of commissions and so on. Permanent secretaries transited to super permanent secretaries, with sufficient clout to instigate renunciation of the Aburi Accord.

As advisers to military regimes, top bureaucrats emerged as both policy makers and policy executors. The benefits of this empowerment trickled down to the lowest step of the officer corps with severe consequences for ethics and accountability.

Although the generations that experienced military rule would phase out from service in the next 10 years, the heritage of the military era would continue to impact the character of the Civil Service for some time. The gaps between “with immediate effect decrees” and the rounds of participatory democracy are too wide to be underplayed. Similarly, the conditioning for illicit enrichment arising from over – exposure of ideally anonymous bureaucrats cannot be erased overnight.

Unfortunately, the irresponsibility and looting of the Nigerian political class has fuelled nostalgia for military rule among public servants. With the winner-takes-all orientation of Nigerian politics, many an elected administration have descended on government institutions as conquered territories, seeking to subject them to partisan ends. In the event, civil servants’ resentment of democratic government festers.

Ordinarily, the Nigerian public service is over bloated. The Stephen Orosanye Report of 2012 established the existence of 541 federal parastatals, commissions and agencies. It went ahead to recommend reduction of statutory agencies from 263 to 161, scrapping of 38 agencies and merging of 52. For Ehi Ibrahim, “trimming the civil service to a manageable size” must be undertaken before the system can achieve efficiency. When we add to above scenario, the hundreds of political offices created by elected governments, the inherent administrative challenges become clearer. Not only are some of the offices duplications of existing ones or conflicting with statutory regulations, the bossy ways of the political appointees make relations with the bureaucracy difficult.

The first task here would be to summon the political will to cut cost of governance to the essentials. Secondly, the gulf between politicians and non-politicians can be bridged through blending of political and career offices at some levels. Closer and cooperative interactions of the two sides are necessary for smooth functioning of government machinery. Joint undertakings will also enhance civil servants’ appreciation of the government’s manifesto, thus, increasing their capacity for service delivery.

As a product of society, our civil services are contending with the quality of our developmental efforts. The manpower of our administrative institutions are largely products of underfunded universities caught in a vicious circle of prolonged shutdowns, commercialized academic assessment and rushed school programmes. Add to that the toll, youth addiction to social media is taking on education and the crisis stares in the face; it leaves nothing else to the imagination. And this is not the kind of deficiency Administrative Staff College of Nigeria can remedy. The situation demands a continuing education programme. Staff should not be assessed only at (four yearly) promotion intervals. Governments must ensure that every ministry has a well-stocked library. And as Stephen Olugbemi canvassed in “The Nigerian Civil Service and National Development,” the use of modern management practices and policy monitoring mechanisms will make a difference.

•Afuba is director, Public Administration Circle, Awka.
August 8, 2024