The title of our new, or newly adopted, national anthem holds significant relevance to Nigeria’s current dire circumstances. Nigerians deserve commendation for our remarkable resilience in the face of challenges that would have led to rebellion in other nations. We persevere, and at times even empathize with the corrupt ruling elite who continue to oppress the people with impunity.
Some may argue that the global economic crisis following the devastating COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant factor affecting all nations, leading to unprecedented economic collapse—including in Nigeria. However, prior to the pandemic, Nigeria’s socio-economic conditions were already dire. The post-pandemic crisis only worsened an already bleak situation.
Since the tumultuous 2023 general election, the governing elite appear unable to effectively manage the transition or respond swiftly to the profound socio-economic and post-election challenges they inherited. Both the federal and sub-national governments are still entangled in the aftermath of the election—rivalries between political leaders, godfathers attempting to control political structures and the ongoing struggle for strategic political appointments.
The poorly implemented economic policies of the new APC federal government, particularly those related to petroleum pricing, subsidy removal and the foreign exchange regime, have created chaos that continues to undermine nearly all the actions of the Bola Tinubu administration. President Tinubu has openly admitted that a fuel price increase is inevitable, signalling that the days of long knives are upon us. We should prepare for even higher fuel prices. The decision to announce subsidy removal during his inaugural address was a monumental mistake that Tinubu is still paying for, whether his advisers acknowledge it or not. This decision led to a fuel price hike and scarcity of petroleum products, with long queues now a permanent feature at filling stations nationwide.
The negative impact of this subsidy removal on inflation lies at the heart of the ongoing instability. Addressing this fuel crisis is essential for restoring stability to the economy. Until this is resolved, the President’s ability to successfully implement his economic programmes will remain limited, and frustrations with policy initiatives will continue to mount, particularly those aimed at achieving rapid economic stability.
With no political honeymoon following his assumption of power in May 2023, due to the premature subsidy removal announcement, Tinubu must quickly and decisively address the fuel crisis to restore order. Failure to do so will prolong the crisis and further damage his administration’s agenda in the long run. Time is running out, and with 17 months already spent in crisis out of his 48-month tenure, Tinubu will soon face mounting pressure to deliver, especially as a new year approaches. His rivals are already forming alliances to challenge him in 2027. If he fails to get his act together, he will find himself fighting battles on two fronts—justifying his election with tangible performance and securing his re-election amid fierce opposition.
Those who tout Tinubu’s political acumen as his greatest asset fail to recognize that strategies do not always work the same way in different circumstances. Besides resolving the fuel crisis, the President must compel state governors to perform. With the increased funds available from the savings on subsidy removal, governors and local officials have no excuse for not delivering on the promises of democracy. They must address the existential challenges facing the electorate with a sense of responsibility.
Federal government officials are often the scapegoats whenever public anger rises against political leaders, but the media should also hold sub-national administrations, including local governments, accountable. Ministers, state commissioners and other officials must collaborate to pull the country out of the quagmire.
So far, the suffering masses have found no effective means of holding leaders accountable. The history of mass protest movements in Nigeria demonstrates that organisers have lacked the capacity to coordinate and mobilize nationwide movements effectively. The #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protests failed to bring about lasting change due to poor strategies, weak coordination, and ineffective leadership. These movements now seem like wasted efforts, as the issues that sparked the protests remain unresolved.
It is increasingly clear that changing bad governance is not a quick or easy task. It cannot be achieved through poorly structured street protests that lack the stamina to endure. Unfortunately, Nigerians are likely to continue enduring hardship, as the political class remains incapable of delivering good governance, crippled by corruption, incompetence and a lack of patriotism.
Meanwhile, there’s a groundswell of opinion within the President’s inner circle that a rejig of his cabinet is due, given the obvious bureaucratic inertia being witnessed from his top functionaries. Snippets of corruption cases are also being reported all over the place, and with the usual profligacy in government, any form of shake-up of the system would be welcome, so long as it improves the bad situation.
There’s likewise poor policy coordination, information mismanagement, and lacklustre performance within his kitchen cabinet.
How Tinubu would address these issues would determine the pace and performance of his government in the crucial coming months leading to his midterm in May 2025.
His plate is already full and overflowing; we hope he knows that. We also hope he knows what to do to reverse the growing negative perception of his government, beyond roaming the world capitals, seeking foreign investments.
The grandstanding of his abrasive spokesman will certainly bring him more enemies than sympathy or the crucial support he needs.
Enough of the boring media skirmishes. Nigerians are yearning for good governance and the Renewed Hope dividend. That was why they protested last time and are threatening to do so again.