The Nation Newspaper

Tag: governance

  • 2026: year of politicking or good governance?

    2026: year of politicking or good governance?

    The new Y2026 is just unfurling, and expectations of a better-managed country by Nigerians from their leadership are justifiably high. This is understandably in tandem with the perennial fresh calendar year projections by individuals, institutions, and governments.

    Therefore, my fellow countrymen crave a better-governed country this new year; and they truly deserve this attainable craving even though our system, as configured for decades, is replete with currently rare intentionally sincere planning and an attitude of selfless delivery. This fact was attested to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dissection of the country’s situation during a visit to India on September 7, 2023, to wit: “We are not poor in knowledge. We are not poor in human resources. We are only poor in management and leadership….”

    Why the nation continues to score low marks in management and leadership is an object of discourse for another day. Nonetheless, one thing my fellow countrymen need to realize is that good governance this year might be impeded by the rancorous politics of Y2027 when constitutionally guaranteed periodic general elections of four-year intervals will be held across the country. The conceived season of electioneering is about to be delivered later this year.

    Consequently, my fellow countrymen’s expectations of an undiluted governance, though not misplaced, but in realistic political terms, looks likely forlorn.

    Of course, the paraphernalia of administering government through age long bureaucracy will not stop running, but its doubtful efficacy in the ensuing months that make up the year is something that stands to be seen.

    Usually, budgets covering a whole gamut of public endeavours have certainly been made in federal, state, and local council levels across the country. But the real approving/oversight authorities of the budgets in both the executive and legislative branches of government respectively, will be busy striving to retain their positions or seek fresh terms elsewhere – first by being faced with the distractions of how to win their parties’ primaries and secondly, by the distractions of what strategies to deploy to retain their positions or seek new positional adventures in the next general election.

    Even sitting governors with extinguishing tenures and the ones with no hope of returning will be busy rooting for replacements that’ll cover their dirty/shady dealings after office. In all instances, very little consideration, if any, is accorded to the beneficial governance of the people and country. Rather, the pursuits of personal ambition and interests take precedent.

    For the appointees in states and at the federal levels, including ministers, commissioners, heads of ministries, agencies and parastatals, they will, rather than concentrate on actual governance, be largely distracted by seeking out what contributions they could make to earn political mileage in order to justify their appointments by doing everything, sometimes beyond their means, to show loyalty/support for their appointors. Such eye service is meant to guarantee their retention in positions in the next dispensation come Y2027. This is notwithstanding that most of them performed woefully or compromised their seats in their current positions.

    Read Also: Climate Change: Energy transition towards net zero emissions

    Until this new year 2026, our politicians politick with virtually everything for as long as their political interests are well protected. Within and outside the governmental system, they have been involved in campaigning for perceived party candidates or likely political benefactors against the clear provisions of the Electoral Act.

    This is notwithstanding the fact that section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the commencement of campaigns earlier than 150 days before the next polling circle. Our politicians will have nothing to do with this extant provision and sadly with no obvious consequences. The Act provides no sanction for the aforementioned but merely stipulates in section 94(2) a maximum penalty of N500,000, upon conviction of any political party or person acting on its behalf who engaged in campaigns 24 hours before the polling day. Our politicians exploit the fact that the Act was silent on consequences for campaign breaches that occurred earlier than 150 days before an election date.

    No wonder that in flagrant violations of this Act, the outgone Y2025 was replete with political campaign endorsements of personalities with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) helplessly looking the other way.

    The scramble for political parties’ slots including through defections and the likes by aspiring politicians especially this year when election timetable is yet to be released by the electoral body underscores politicians’ desperation to retain or get power at any cost.

    With all these going on this year, isn’t it pertinent to ask: Will the desired hope of a better governance this year by Nigerians yield the expected dividends in view of ongoing political distractions whereby everyone in government is concerned about securing their forte in the next general election that come up in precisely thirteen months’ time across the country?

    The answer: Your guess is as good as mine. This is because something tells me loud and clear that good governance this year is yielding ground to partisan politics with virtually everyone in government undeniably leading this ugly charge. What a dilemma it really is for Nigerians to contend with!!

    NB: To readers of this column from all over the world, my sincere new year prayers of a rewarding months ahead.

    • Sanusi, former MD/CEO of Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency, is currently the managing partner at AMS RELIABLE SOLICITORS. (WhatsApp messages ONLY through 07011117777).
  • Fed govt seeks deeper collaboration with retired perm secs to strengthen governance

    Fed govt seeks deeper collaboration with retired perm secs to strengthen governance

    The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to harnessing the wealth of experience within the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries (CORFEPS) to strengthen governance and preserve institutional memory for national development.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, stated this while delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Annual Dinner and Awards Night of the council, held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

    Describing CORFEPS as “an invaluable national asset,” Akume said the collective expertise of retired permanent secretaries remains crucial to improving policy formulation, deepening continuity in governance, and driving public sector reforms.

    He said the theme of this year’s event, “Harnessing the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries as a Wealth of Institutional Memory for Nation Building”, was timely, noting that Nigeria continues to grapple with the effects of policy inconsistency and gaps in implementation.

    Read Also: Salis: Why National Assembly should pass laws against use of thugs by politicians

    According to a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen Akume said, “nothing can replace experience. Members of CORFEPS are living repositories of institutional memory. The nation stands to benefit immensely from your insights, and the present administration remains open and committed to leveraging your expertise”.

    Akume highlighted recent efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to integrate the wisdom of elder statesmen into governance, including appointing some CORFEPS members to strategic national positions across agencies and commissions.

    He assured that his office would continue working with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to advance key proposals submitted by the council.

    Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of CORFEPS, Yayale Ahmed, reiterated the council’s readiness to continue offering patriotic service to the nation.

    He described CORFEPS as a sanctuary of wisdom and a custodian of Nigeria’s administrative heritage, stressing that retirement does not mark the end of service.

    The event brought together former and serving public officers to honour distinguished retired permanent secretaries and reaffirm their role as partners in Nigeria’s national development efforts.

  • Lagos unveils 3-year plan to deepen citizens’ participation in governance

    Lagos unveils 3-year plan to deepen citizens’ participation in governance

    The Lagos State Government has introduced a three-year Strategic Plan and Communication Strategy (2025–2027) designed to enhance public participation in governance and strengthen the relationship between government and residents.

    The documents were formally presented on Monday by the Office of Political, Legislative, and Civic Engagement (OPL&CE) during an event held in Ikeja.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative, and Civic Engagement, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun, said the initiative is aimed at improving communication of government activities, boosting public trust, and widening opportunities for Lagosians to contribute to policy formulation.

    Abiodun noted that with Lagos being a highly diverse state, residents must play an active role in shaping policies that affect their lives. He added that the new strategies will help promote a culture of continuous public participation.

    According to him, the plan aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda by strengthening transparency, improving synergy between the executive and legislature, and ensuring that all stakeholders—formal and informal—are included in decision-making processes.

    He listed proposed engagement tools to include strategic dialogues, structured town hall meetings, digital feedback platforms, advisory mechanisms, and targeted civic education programmes.

    Abiodun also highlighted the CitizensGate platform as a major tool for seamless interaction between residents and government, describing it as part of efforts to remove barriers to civic engagement.

    He urged Lagosians to collaborate with the government, stressing that governance thrives on transparency and collective participation.

    The Permanent Secretary of OPL&CE, Engr. Sholabomi Shasore said the implementation of the new strategy will involve a wide range of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, media practitioners, civil society organisations, social media influencers, community associations, and filmmakers.

    “Every citizen wants the government to communicate with them. This plan shows what needs to be done. Your expertise is essential in amplifying our message and ensuring citizens are well engaged,” Shasore said.

    A participant at the event and human rights advocate with Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Mbamalu, applauded the initiative, noting that civic engagement remains the foundation of democracy.

    “You cannot talk about democracy without citizens’ participation. Democracy survives on the active involvement of the people. The strategic documents will help identify policies that strengthen the relationship between the government and the citizens,” she said.

  • Governance: Why governors fail to deliver

    Governance: Why governors fail to deliver

    Sir: Picture a crocodile by the riverbank: powerful, fierce, and built to rule the waters. Yet this creature, chained with heavy bonds, is unable to move, hunt, or lead its territory. Its strength is wasted, its potential wasted. This is the tragic image of governance in Nigeria today.

    Governors, who ought to be the engines of development and the closest link to the people, have become like that bound crocodile. They carry mandates meant to transform society, but invisible chains of godfatherism, party politics, and vested interests hold them down. Instead of bold leadership, we see hesitation, compromise, and stagnation.

    The tragedy runs deeper when governors who genuinely wish to serve find themselves trapped. One “godfather” or party leader can summon them to heel, threaten them with political extinction, or strip them of support. They are forced to choose between serving the people and preserving their careers. Inevitably, the people lose. Projects stall, policies are abandoned, and elections become hollow rituals. Leaders take oaths, but the spirit of democracy is nowhere to be found.

    Good governance must begin at the state level. This is where education policies can be tailored to local needs, where hospitals and clinics can be strengthened to save lives, and where infrastructure can unlock economic opportunities. States should be the laboratories of progress. Yet when governors are more loyal to political patrons than to citizens, priorities shift. Instead of innovation, we get inertia. A bound crocodile cannot hunt, and a politically captured governor cannot deliver.

    This crisis is not uniquely Nigerian. Across Africa, the same story unfolds. In most countries on the continent, domestic chains are reinforced by foreign ones. Neo-colonialism, though less visible than in the past, continues to shape politics and policy. International institutions, foreign governments, and multinational corporations subtly dictate directions. Loans and aid arrive tied to conditions that often undermine local priorities. Instead of resisting, many African leaders comply, turning themselves into administrators of external agendas.

    The result is a continent rich in resources but poor in outcomes. Africa’s wealth benefits others more than its own citizens. Its leaders, caught between local godfathers and foreign benefactors, fail to assert the sovereignty needed for genuine development.

    If Nigeria and Africa are to move forward, these chains must be broken. The first step is political liberation. Godfatherism must be dismantled, and systems must be built to make governors accountable primarily to the people. Internal party democracy must be strengthened so that candidates emerge based on merit, not loyalty to a benefactor. Anti-corruption institutions must be insulated from political interference so they cannot be wielded as weapons of blackmail.

    Secondly, citizens must reclaim their power. Democracy is not a four-year ritual; it is a daily responsibility. Civil society, the media, and grassroots movements must hold leaders accountable long after the campaigns end. Promises must be tracked, performance must be measured, and failure must be exposed. Leaders will only fear the people when they are united and can no longer be ignored.

    Finally, Africa must rethink its relationship with the outside world.  Cooperation and partnership are necessary, but submission is not. Trade is essential, but must be fair and equitable. Aid should not come with strings that compromise sovereignty. African leaders must learn that independence is hollow if policies are subject to foreign influence.

    Read Also: Massive turnout for CVR shows Nigerians’ confidence in electoral process, says INEC

    Nigeria stands at a crossroads. We can either continue as the bound crocodile—powerful yet paralyzed—or we can break the chains that hold us down. The choice is stark. The cost of bondage is not abstract: it is visible in underfunded schools, collapsing hospitals, potholed roads, and unemployed youth. It is measured in lost lives, wasted potentials and eroded hope.

    The metaphor of the crocodile is not accidental. Like the reptile, Nigeria has the raw strength to dominate its waters. Our natural resources, our human capital, and our cultural wealth give us all we need to thrive. But without political liberation, strength turns into frustration. Without sovereignty, potential turns into dependency.

    To break free, governors must rediscover their courage, parties must rediscover internal democracy, and citizens must rediscover their voices. The crocodile must remember its nature: not to be bound, but to rule the waters with confidence and independence.

    Nigeria’s story does not have to remain a tragedy. Africa’s story does not have to be one of wasted potential. But change will not come by accident. It requires deliberate choices: to resist godfatherism, to challenge corruption, to reject external control, and to place the people at the centre of governance.

    •John Amabolou Elekun,Iju-Ajuwon, Lagos

  • Don seeks more women participation in parliament, governance

    Don seeks more women participation in parliament, governance

    Foremost academic, Prof Benedicta Egbo, has called for the creation of support networks funded through private and public efforts to enhance the chances of women seeking political offices. 

    She said that Nigeria is at an important historical juncture, and that achieving its promise as a successful and thriving nation requires that women are given a voice as equal partners in politics and public decision-making in ways that “transcend symbolic tokenism.” 

    Professor Egbo`s remarks come on the heels of recent calls by stakeholders for increased electoral opportunities for women in the upcoming 2027 general elections.

    In a statement on Wednesday, the 2023 presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), said, “The time is now. Indeed, the national parliament and other relevant parties should, as a matter of urgency, enact laws that guarantee women’s greater participation in politics and democratic governance in the country in the interest of equity, fairness and national unity. It is the patriotic thing to do for the common good.”

    She also called for reform-oriented interventions such as removing economic barriers that limit women’s access to resources such as “campaign finance, removing cultural impediments, combatting gender-based violence and, building women’s capacity through mentorship and political literacy programmes.”

    According to her, no profound social change and sustainable development in Nigeria can be achieved without the full participation of women in the socio-political arena.

    Egbo cautioned against discriminatory practices against women seeking public offices, even as she stressed that keeping women at the margins of politics, governance and public decision-making is the same as excluding one half of the country’s population from the processes of development and nation-building. 

    She said, “Put differently, the transformative development we seek and yearn for in Nigeria cannot take place without co-opting women and giving them a seat at the table. 

    Read Also: Strengthening credit governance critical to microfinance banks, FITC declares

    “Gender equality in all socio-political spheres is fundamental to good governance, a healthy and sustainable democracy. So, what is the way forward? 

    “Transforming the status quo requires the adoption of several innovative interventions including the removal of the structural and systemic barriers that impede women’s political participation. 

    “Furthermore, enacting constructive affirmative action laws that guarantee women a certain number of seats within the country’s parliament and other organs of governance should be a non-negotiable intervention strategy. 

    “While the number of seats is negotiable, it is not unreasonable to expect that between 30-35% of the seats at both the national and state assemblies should be reserved for women. However, empowerment through quotas is only a starting point.”

    She lamented the failure of previous attempts at addressing and resolving the problem of gender imbalance in Nigeria’s electoral politics.

    She noted that while successive governments have tried to implement policies that were aimed at boosting women’s representation in public decision-making, the “well intentioned” have recorded abysmal failures.

  • Less government, more governance

    Less government, more governance

     This headline – “Less government, more governance” — is not original to this column. 

    It’s the legal matrix under which Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Indian minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics and IT, portrayed India’s booming progress, over the last 10 years.

    He spoke at the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, via a 4:39-minute video clip, courtesy a regular reader, Igwe Pius Ojonile Omachonu.

    Shri Vaishnaw reeled out India’s strides, in public investments, under Prime Minister Narenda Modi Ji.  He started a third term on 9 June 2024, after two successful five-year terms, dating back to 2014.

    The stats simply put, in physical, social and digital infrastructure, were bewildering!

    Public investment rose from about €36 billion in 2014 to about €127 billion in 2024. He didn’t say though, the proportion of debt capital in that investment overlay.

    Rail: In 10 years, India laid 31, 000 km of new rail tracks — “practically the size of the entire German railway network.”  It also electrified 44, 000 km in railway networks — again, as the minister crowed — “more than Germany plus Switzerland plus Belgium put together.”

    What does this tell you?  Germany is western Europe’s largest economy.  But if Indian rail modernization could dwarf the entire German, Swiss and Belgian networks — and it’s yet morning on its investment day — then the global future belongs to big countries that can maximize the advantages of their bigness.

    So ethnic champions and separatist zealots, bent on cannibalizing Nigeria, miss the point.  They simply take the easy — and emotive — way out.  They seem out of their depth with how to lend spark to a vast, thumping, multi-culture country.

    Besides, they are shackled to the past.  India — and China — point to the future, even as America, under Donald Trump, gambles away Uncle Sam’s future, with all-muscle-no-brain bumbling isolationism.

    But back to the strides of India. 

    Social infrastructure: India has opened 446 universities in 10 years — tantamount to, the minister quipped, opening one university weekly, in the last 10 years!  Magical?

    That’s tertiary education. 

    But the health segment of social infrastructure?  Between 2014 and 2024, healthcare hugely expanded.  Now, it covers 350 million citizens. Besides, it just declared free healthcare for Indian seniors, 70 and above, despite its thumping population.

    Inclusive growth, a euphemism for pro-poor policies: India, in 10 years, has built 40 million houses for poor Indians, aside connecting 100 million families, in this critical demographic, with free cooking gas pipe networks.

    Also for the poor: the Indian government opened 540 million bank accounts for the poorest of the poor.  And again, the minister’s winsome comparison: “more than the population of the entire Europe”!

    Imagine dragging such proportion of the huge informal market here, into the formal sector?  Imagine its salutary effect on the Nigerian government’s expanded tax net?

    Result of these pro-poor policies: India has sprung 250 million people from poverty in 10 years!

    But the driver of all these strides is digital infrastructure: the minister dubbed it the Prime Minister’s mandate to democratize IT, to make its use accessible to everyone.

    That mandate birthed the Digital India Programme (DIP) which, rather than cause a dip in transactions, crested in India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI).  By the minister’s stats, the UPI caters for some 400 million users, with 17 billion transactions a month, and a yearly transaction value of €2.8 trillion.  The settlement time?  “Consistently, less than two seconds”!

    For context: contrast that with sundry glitches here, which often traps handsome sums in bank vaults, even after legitimate transfers to destination accounts, private or corporate!

    What’s more?  An enhanced payment system came with a renewed explosion in manufacturing and innovation.  Made-in-India and Start-Up India — both manufacturing hubs — rose from 400 in 2014 to 150, 000 in 2024. 

    So did value of mobile manufacturing — mostly of semiconductors and hand phones — from €2 billion to €50 billion in 10 years.  Manufacturing is driver for mass jobs.

    As for Unicorns — personal or family wealth ploughed back into productive use, without recourse to debt capital — grew to hit 100.

    But the arch-driver of this remarkable development is the legal modernization framework dubbed: “Less government, more governance”, which on the surface sounds more like an oxymoron.

    But in real terms, it means simplifying India’s ancient laws to meet its modern needs.  That means junking no less than 1, 500 archaic laws, with some 40, 000 colonial-era compliances, to fire India’s modern and contemporary economy.

    The video clip went viral and a version of it came with a comment, typically Nigerian: “You’re here in Nigeria sharing palliatives and showcasing construction of 2 km road and 1 Km flyover.  Useless and rogue leaders.”

    Read Also: Tinubu committed to ensuring student loans for all Nigerians – Aide 

    Typical — self-loathing, finger-pointing, empty, conceited, condescending, arrogant –the classical portraiture of the irresponsible citizen, without holding fort for those in government.  As Babatunde Fashola, former governor of Lagos famously quips, anger is no strategy.

    But lo! A segment of the media hugs hare-brained anger as sacred article of faith.  Which is why the media seldom tracks developments in the polity, thus oozing eternal hopelessness.  That’s wilful mirage, even if the government can always do better.

    Take this Nigeria-India comparison.  The Modi Ji India government drives modernized rail, education and health as social infrastructure, inclusive growth, expansive IT, manufacturing/innovation, and modernization of laws as vital triggers of growth.

    The Nigerian government, since 2015, has powered along a similar trajectory, sans re-industrialization, after the crazy imports of the SAP years. That is because comatose DisCos, and decade-investment lags in transmission lines, can’t ensure regular electricity.

    The Buhari Presidency posted good results in rail modernization.  For social inclusion (pro-poor policies), with the World Bank, it compiled Nigeria’s first-ever social register to help the poorest of the poor.  It also pushed the return of local crude oil refineries.

    The Tinubu government has continued on the same path, though choosing neo-liberal tactics to drive its reforms has robbed it of gargantuan social capital, which makes not a few ideologues to question its “progressive” ancestry.

    Still, the same government boasts the biggest student loan policy in Nigerian history, an ambitious consumer credit system that could well lay the ground for booming re-industrialization, if it can solve the acute power problem. 

    Then, ala India: a sweeping bid to modernize Nigerian laws — to boost business –aside an ambitious IT expansion policy and programmes.

    Let the media start tracking the essential.  We may yet gauge where exactly we are, shun fashionable doom and re-find our path to sustainable progress.

    Then, maybe we’ll find that even the Indian “miracle” can be surpassed here.

  • The right to development and governance

    The right to development and governance

    • By Ekpa Stanley Ekpa

    Sir: The right to development is fundamental to building an inclusive and prosperous society. It ensures that every individual and community have access to the resources and opportunities needed to live a life of dignity. In Nigeria, like most other developing countries around the world, the divide between urban and rural areas continues to undermine this right. While urban cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and other capital cities benefit from relatively advanced infrastructure, economic opportunities, and services, rural areas, with nearly half of Nigeria’s population, struggle with inadequate access to basic amenities such as clean water, electricity, healthcare, and education.

    For instance, according to Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, 61% of rural Nigerians live in poverty, compared to 42% in urban areas. Similarly, while urban areas enjoy an electrification rate of about 85%, only 41% of rural communities have access to electricity. These disparities illustrate the urgent need to prioritize the right to development and extend governance to every inch of Nigeria.

    Globally, the right to development has been enshrined in the constitutions of several countries, where it is recognized as enforceable in court. South Africa stands out as a model, with its constitution guaranteeing socio-economic rights, including access to housing, healthcare, education, and social security. Citizens can demand these rights through litigation, as seen in cases like Government of the Republic of South Africa vs. Grootboom, where the Constitutional Court ruled that the government must take reasonable measures to provide adequate housing. India has also broadened the interpretation of its constitution’s right to life to include the right to live with dignity, incorporating development-related rights such as education, healthcare, and a clean environment.

    In contrast, Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), while emphasizing socio-economic rights in its directive principles of state policy, falls short of making these rights justiciable, limiting the ability of citizens to hold the government accountable for inability to provide the constitutionally envisaged development for Nigeria and Nigerians.

    Since development is deeply intertwined with fundamental human rights, the right to education, health, and shelter, which are integral to human dignity, cannot be achieved without deliberate and inclusive governance that prioritizes equitable development. In our rural areas, where schools are often understaffed and healthcare facilities under-equipped, these rights remain elusive.

    As reported by UNICEF, rural primary school attendance is just 60%, compared to 80% in urban areas, while maternal mortality rates in rural regions are more than double those in cities, reflecting the lack of adequate healthcare services. These disparities are a stark reminder that the right to development is essential for fulfilling the broader spectrum of human rights enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

    Read Also: Presidency blasts Bauchi governor over remarks on Tinubu

    Effective governance and efficiency in public service delivery across the 774 local government areas, and all entities and systems of governance in Nigeria is critical to achieving the right to development. This requires targeted investments to address disparities and ensure that rural areas are not left behind. Policies must prioritize sectors that directly impact human development particularly at the subnational and local government level, such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

    Given that improving rural roads and transport networks would enhance access to markets, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth, governments at the local level must prioritize and ensure quality in expanding and opening communities for productivity and prosperity. Similarly, expanding rural electrification would unlock opportunities for small businesses, improve living standards, and foster economic inclusivity. Additionally, equitable allocation of resources is essential to ensure that all regions benefit from national development plans.

    Governing every inch of Nigeria requires leveraging technology to bridge the urban-rural divide. Digital tools can enhance the efficiency and accessibility of development initiatives, from deploying e-governance platforms to streamline service delivery to using data analytics for better resource allocation. In remote areas, mobile technology can expand access to education and healthcare, while geographic information systems (GIS) can help identify underserved regions and prioritize infrastructure projects.

    But our leaders must never allow tech and digital engagements to replace their human and physical interaction with constituents. Governing every inch of Nigeria with fairness and accountability ensures that no community is left behind and that the benefits of development are shared equitably. If we make the right to development justiciable, investing in rural transformation, and embrace inclusive governance, Nigeria can bridge the gap between urban and rural areas and fulfil the promise of a society where every citizen has an equal opportunity to thrive. Only through such deliberate efforts can our country achieve shared prosperity and strengthen our foundation for sustainable development.

    • Ekpa Stanley Ekpa,

     ekpastanleyekpa@gmail.com

  • Politics, governance and the value of time

    Politics, governance and the value of time

    Governance requires effective time management to thrive. Unfortunately, political systems often waste this precious resource, compromising citizens’ well-being and national prosperity. As a universal currency, time is equally distributed but unequally valued, with marginalized communities frequently bearing the brunt of temporal inefficiencies.

    At the politics-time intersection, power dynamics emerge, shaping lives through prioritization, policy and resource allocation. To maximize productivity, strategies like prioritization and goal-setting are crucial, lest poor management leads to missed deadlines and lost opportunities. Historically, societies aligned tasks with natural rhythms, highlighting the tension between short-term gains and long-term benefits, thus underscoring the need for intentional time management in governance.

    In Nigeria, the value of time is often perceived as a luxury that only the affluent can afford. The average citizen is caught up in a daily struggle for survival, where time is a scarce resource. The chronic fuel scarcity, endless traffic jams, and inefficient public transportation systems all conspire to waste valuable time. These issues substantially impact the economy, with estimated losses of $1 billion annually

    Time plays a critical role in both political participation and environmental sustainability. It is a scarce resource in modern society, and its value is often overlooked until it’s too late. In today’s fast-paced world, we’re constantly reminded to ‘make every second count’ and ‘time is money.’ However, this mantra can lead to burnout and exploitation, as seen in the gig economy, where workers are pushed to work long hours without adequate compensation or benefits. Low-income households spend significant time managing finances, accessing social services and waiting in lines, resulting in severe time poverty. In stark contrast, effective time management can transform lives, as seen in the biblical examples of Joseph and Daniel.

    Read Also; MOTUNDE: Big names wanted me to warm their beds for roles

    Joseph and Daniel epitomize wise time management. They highlighted the importance of using time effectively to achieve success and fulfill one’s purpose. Despite imprisonment, Joseph interpreted dreams and rose to Egypt’s second-in-command. Daniel devoted himself to study and prayer, interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams and gained prominence in Babylon. In contrast, Esau, the Prodigal Son, and the servant with one talent squandered their time and ultimately regretted their choices.

    Remote work blurs work-personal life lines, while systemic inequalities perpetuate disparities in incarceration rates, opportunities, and marginalized communities’ potential. Governance failures exacerbate this vulnerability, as seen in high-profile cases like the unresolved Chibok girls’ abduction, which has devastatingly contributed to Nigeria’s economic and security shocks. Globally, COVID-19 and ‘Black Lives Matter’ also highlight the unequal distribution of time, underscoring its value and the need for intentional governance.

    As a matter of fact, every 14- or 15-year-old student learns in Economics O-Level about the ‘time-value of money’. The principle has its broader applicability beyond financial calculations. It also drives political economy, leadership and governance. Governments allocate and expend resources, which is inherently time-bound. Governments have a limited window to make a meaningful impact, making every moment count. Consequently, evaluating a government’s tenure – essentially an interregnum – hinges on its ability to optimize limited time.

    Effective time management requires preparedness, as The Boy Scouts’ motto goes. Unfortunately, governance in Nigeria, like the rest of Africa, falls short due to military interruptions and lack of research. Moreover, most Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), humorously described as political parties, assume office without thorough preparations, largely due to the absence of data-driven insights. Coincidentally, Nigeria’s once-thriving Research Departments associated with pre-independence and post-independence political parties have vanished, thus hindering their ability to drive meaningful development and sustainable growth. Is it any wonder why today’s SPVs prioritize personal gain, jobs racketeering and other self-serving interests? While exceptions exist, they are few and far-between. This scenario exemplifies a concerning reality of which structured leadership intervention is crucial to prevent Nigeria’s losing traction and impact.

    Nigeria needs leadership that prioritizes economic growth through production and modernization, rather than merely focusing on consumption and jobs for favoured individuals. Presently, Nigeria’s manufacturing sector contributes only 8.23% to the country’s GDP, compared to 25% in South Africa. For a paradigm shift, this leadership should allocate at least 60% of the budget to capital expenditure, guided by performance-based planning and devoid of graft and waste. This is the only way to avert the comic tragedy we have seen in the past few days in Borno State where human negligence, ineptitude and incompetence other than natural forces have triggered  off  a disaster of monumental proportions.

    Governor Babagana  Zulum has demonstrated effective administration of resources in Borno State. Nonetheless, the recent disaster necessitates an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the causes of the avoidable disaster. As fate would have it, all the Biblical disasters of yore have now been shown to not be ‘plagues and pestilences’ but the results of human error, incompetence and policy distortions. The Borno catastrophe, which is bound to be replicated in other locations, has demonstrated the need for preparedness and a new approach to governance, based on technical competences and the proactive framework methodology. There’s no alternative!

    In today’s interconnected world, governance efficiency is closely tied to technical proficiency. The UK Government showed this foresight when it established the Government Economic Service (GES) in 1964, under Prime Minister James Harold Wilson. This initiative has not only become a cornerstone of governmental efficiency in the UK but also inspired similar efforts globally. To stay competitive, Nigeria should establish a Government Economic and Technology Service, to modernize governance, boost revenue and eliminate waste. Building on this initiative, a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s trade and tariff policies is also essential as we enter the Artificial Intelligence era, this is the minimum expectation.

    Specifically,  the Board of Trade and Tariffs, chaired by the Federal Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, should be restructured to include diverse stakeholders, such as representatives from the government, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Organized Private Sector, Civil Society Organizations and Labour. This diverse membership will enable the Board to effectively counteract the manufacturing slowdown and prevent the exit of long-standing companies, some of which have been operational for 75 years. Dangote Refinery’s debacle partly demonstrates how trade and tariff policies are often misinterpreted,

    In any case, that Nigeria faces complex governance challenges, which also require a multifaceted approach, is no longer news! For example, the country ranked 145 out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perception Index. Also in our very eyes, the powerful continues to exploit time to maintain control while the culture of ‘African time’ has refused to shed the toga of tardiness and inefficiency.

    To get out of the woods, Nigeria must strengthen institutions, combat corruption and promote transparency. Singapore’s economic transformation, driven by strategic planning and institutional reforms, now serves as a model. Technology integration, like Estonia’s e-governance model, which has saved citizens over 1400 years of working time annually, can also help Nigeria boost efficiency and transparency.

    In a memorable statement made on December 20, 1948, Cliff Gladwin proclaimed: ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man.’ With this in mind, President Bola Tinubu has a historic opportunity to navigate the complex challenges and balance the competing interests currently troubling Nigeria’s destiny. On this sacred space, the president must fight injustice, punish evil and prioritize the needs of ordinary Nigerian, whose existence has been hung up in a long vigil of socioeconomic despair. Surely certainly, few leaders get to operate in a context of disaster and change. For Tinubu, this makes this moment crucial!

    May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!

  • Oke pledges continued contribution to corporate governance

    Oke pledges continued contribution to corporate governance

    Ridwan Oke, Principal Partner of Iris Attorneys LP, has pledged continued contribution to corporate governance.

    He stated this during his conferment as a fellow of the Association of Corporate Governance Professionals of Nigeria (ACGPN) led by the President and Chairman, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa MON, OFR.

    Conferring him the membership, ACGPN, through the president stated that Oke’s membership came with high enthusiasm and the association is confident that his addition will inspire and empower the ACGPN with positive impacts.

    Read Also: Presidency knocks Atiku over comments on #EndBadGovernance protests

    The association is a non-profit organization comprised principally of corporate governance specialists and business executives in governance, ethics, and compliance functions at public, private, and not-for-profit organizations.

    Responding to the membership conferred on him, Oke, noted that it was an opportunity to serve.

    He said: “Being a fellow of the Association is an opportunity to make a positive impact in the corporate governance world and I hope to contribute my quota, not just to the association but to Nigeria at large.

    “In my little ways, I have contributed positively to SMEs through legal advisory to several clients and businesses, I hope to continue to do more especially through Iris Attorneys LP.”

  • Using block-chain to transform governance

    Using block-chain to transform governance

    • By Shuaib S. Agaka

    Sir: Corruption remains a pervasive and multifaceted challenge within Nigerian governance. It undermines public trust, impedes socio-economic development, and perpetuates systemic inequalities. Corruption manifests in diverse forms, including nepotism, bureaucratic inefficiencies, patronage networks, election malpractice, and lack of transparency in decision-making processes.

    These practices not only erode the legitimacy of governmental institutions but also hinder effective service delivery and exacerbate social injustices across the country.

    In March, the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) revealed that the country lost an estimated $18 billion annually due to financial crimes and corruption. Such staggering statistics underscore the urgent need for a transformative solution. In this context, the government’s move to develop a national block-chain is a significant step forward.

    Block-chain technology, at its core, is a decentralized digital ledger that keeps records across multiple computers in such a way that the registered transactions cannot be altered retroactively. This creates a system of immutable records that are transparent and secure. Each block in the chain contains a list of records, and once a block is completed, it is added to the chain in chronological order, linking to the previous block. This structure ensures that the data is distributed and protected against single points of failure or fraud.

    In the context of governance, immutable records can significantly enhance transparency and accountability. For example, public records such as land titles, birth certificates, and voting results can be stored on a block-chain, ensuring that these documents are both secure and publicly verifiable. This would make it exceedingly difficult for corrupt officials to alter records for personal gain or manipulate data to influence outcomes.

    Read Also: Tinubu appoints Walson-Jack as new Head of the Civil Service

    The transformative potential of block-chain technology in governance cannot be overstated. By leveraging block-chain’s capabilities, Nigeria can address long-standing issues of corruption, inefficiency, and inequality. The successful implementation of a national block-chain system can create a more transparent, accountable, and efficient governance framework, enhancing the quality of life for citizens and promoting economic growth and development. However, realizing this potential requires addressing the technical, regulatory, and public acceptance challenges associated with block-chain adoption.

    It is essential for government leaders, policymakers, and technologists to collaborate and develop a comprehensive strategy for implementing block-chain technology. This includes investing in research and development, creating a clear regulatory framework, and promoting public awareness and education. By taking proactive steps towards block-chain adoption, Nigeria can position itself as a leader in innovative governance and set an example for other countries to follow. Even though the journey may be challenging, the potential rewards make it a worthwhile endeavour.

    •Shuaib S. Agaka,

    Kano.