OPINION: I Wish The President Could Heed To Those Words

By Emeka Asinugo, KSC

In a public statement trending in the social media and purportedly made by President Ahmed Tinubu to his “fellow Nigerians” it was said in part: “I stand before you today with a heavy heart, but also with hope and determination. Our beloved nation faces unprecedented economic challenges that demand bold and decisive action. As your President, I am committed to leading by example and making the difficult decisions necessary to put Nigeria back on the path to prosperity”.

The idea of the Nigerian President delivering such a speech, full of bold reforms and unwerving commitment to national sacrifice, as the viral social media post portrayed, naturally stirred the imaginations of many Nigerians. Many rejoiced in the belief that the days of “can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” were over, and that the peoples’ Messiah had arrived at last. Others called for caution, wondering what the Jargaban was up to this time.  But before the dust settled, the speech was confirmed as a fabrication by Chief Bayo Onanuga, a senior adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

All the same, the situation once again raised critically sensitive questions concerning the art and science of governance in Africa’s most populated country, the challenges that Nigerian politicians face in trying to implement genuine reforms, and the yet to-be-tapped potential for transformative leadership.

In that fabricated speech, it was imagined that President Ahmed Tinubu announced a series of radical measures aimed at cutting down on the cost of governance, promoting fiscal responsibility and revitalizing the economy. Those measures included a 50% reduction in presidential salaries, the abolition of the Office of the First Lady, the sale of redundant presidential aircraft, consolidation of 36 government ministries, restoration of fuel and electricity subsidies, and mandates for government officials to use only locally manufactured products, including automobiles. Other steps the government was to take included a drastic reduction in the number of advisers to political appointees, the implementation of e-governance, renegotiation of government contracts, performance-based budgeting, a freeze on non-essential foreign trips, and a ban on foreign medical trips and treatment for all government officials, including the Presidency.

To all intents and purposes, those proposed measures were comprehensive and they addressed both the symptoms and root causes of Nigeria’s governance and economic challenges. In fact, the enthusiasm generated by the fake speech reflected the deep yearning among Nigerians for genuine leadership and tangible change in the way things were done in the country. The response from the government, dismissing the speech as a fabrication, merely spiked the scepticism and frustration many Nigerian citizens feel towards their leaders. The quick denial from the Presidency actually underscored the complexities and challenges that were inherent in actualizing such drastic but welcome reforms.

The current Tinubu administration, like many before it, will continue to face significant hurdles to implement meaningful reforms. For our convenience, we can categorise these hurdles into political, economic, social and structural challenges. For example, one of the most significant barriers to reform in Nigeria is the presence of deeply entrenched interests. These include political elites, business magnates and various power brokers who benefit from the status quo. Any attempt to disrupt the existing order often meets with strong resistance from these groups.

Another hurdle is official corruption. Corruption in Nigeria remains one of the most pervasive problems that affect all levels of government and society. Efforts to combat corruption have always  been inconsistent and surprisingly often compromised by those who were supposed to enforce the law. The emphasis on fiscal responsibility and transparency made in the fake speech actually struck at the heart of this issue. But Nigerian governments have ineffectively continued to battle the evil because of the value system the politicians put in place in the society. In addition to that, Nigeria’s political landscape is characterized by unpredictable changes in leadership, by electoral disputes, and at times, by violent conflicts. This instability makes long-term planning and consistent policy implementation quite difficult. Reforms require a stable and predictable political environment, and this has, unfortunately, been elusive in Nigeria.

Again, Nigeria’s economy is heavily dependent on oil revenues, which makes it vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations. This dependency has more or less stifled the growth of other sectors and made economic diversification difficult. The hypothetical speech, for example, makes a case for the restoration of fuel subsidies. While this would definitely be popular with the people of Nigeria, it would require careful balancing to avoid worsening the country’s fiscal deficits. Indeed, Nigeria’s debt levels have been rising over time. Significant portions of the budget are allocated to debt servicing. This, and the bloated cost of governance, limit the government’s ability to invest in critical infrastructure and social services. Any reform agenda, therefore, must address this debt burden to free up resources for development.

We will not gloss over the prevailing high inflation rates and unemployment levels either. They are the persistent issues that enhance poverty and inequality. Addressing these problems requires comprehensive economic policies that will stimulate job creation and control inflationary pressures. Nigeria is a huge country with about 250 ethnic groups and tens of religious affiliations. These divisions often lead to tensions and conflicts, stretching policy implementation and  governance. Building a sense of national unity, as the fake speech suggests, is crucial and challenging. The trust level between the government and the citizens should be substantial enough to allow both work in harmony for the good of everyone. But years of unmet promises and high levels of corruption succeeded in eroding the confidence of the people in their government. Rebuilding this trust requires not just promises but visible and sustained actions.

Nigeria’s infrastructural facilities, its educational institutions, the roads leading from rural producing to urban consuming areas, the power supply and healthcare facilities are all obsolete and unsupportive of its steadily growing population. The situation is seriously impeding economic growth and the delivery of public services. The focus of the hypothetical speech on reducing non-essential expenditures to fund critical infrastructure is a step in the right direction that requires substantial investment by government. And since the public sector is often characterized by inefficiency and red tape, implementing reforms such as e-governance to streamline operations and improve efficiency, as suggested in the speech, is essential and challenging in practice.

Despite the clear need for reforms, successive Nigerian governments have struggled to implement what they see as necessary. Several factors contribute to this difficulty.

First is that political leaders often focus on short-term gains and electoral cycles rather than long-term national interests. This myopic view leads to policies that are more about winning elections than solving fundamental national problems. Genuine reform requires strong political will and courage to confront powerful vested interests. Many leaders lack the determination to take on these challenges, and rather prefer to flow  with the tide and maintain the status quo.

One other factor is that the institutions responsible for implementing reforms in Nigeria are often weak and under-resourced. Strengthening these institutions is a prerequisite for any successful reform agenda. Some reforms, particularly those involving subsidy removal or austerity measures, can lead to public backlash. Managing this resistance requires effective communication and measures to mitigate the impact on vulnerable populations.

President Tinubu, like any Nigerian leader, has the opportunity to seize the moment and make a lasting impact, create a lasting name for himself. Tinubu no longer needs money. He has enough. With properties scattered around the world and an oil refinery in Malta, what other money is he looking for? He only needs to consolidate his name. He needs to carve his name boldly in gold letters in the history of this country. The hypothetical speech outlines a roadmap for transformative change that, if implemented, would address many of Nigeria’s pressing issues to his credit. And there are more reasons why President Tinubu should consider embracing such bold reforms as the fake address suggested.

Such significant reforms would cement President Tinubu’s tenure in history as a leader who rose to the occasion and made tough but necessary decisions for the good of the nation. Addressing the economic challenges head-on would lead to a more stable and prosperous Nigeria, thanks to the good and sensitive leadership of the Jargaban. We know that Nigeria’s economic stability is essential for attracting investment, creating jobs, and improving living standards. Therefore, bold actions that demonstrate a commitment to transparency, accountability, and national unity would help government rebuild public trust and foster a sense of collective purpose. A reformed and prosperous Nigeria would enhance its standing on the global stage, attracting more foreign investment and playing a more influential role in international affairs.

While the speech attributed to President Tinubu remains a fabrication, it epitomises the hopes and aspirations of many Nigerians for a better future. It highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address the country’s political, economic, social and structural challenges. While the road to reform is full of obstacles, the potential rewards are immense. President Tinubu, and indeed any Nigerian leader, has the opportunity to chart a new course for the nation. By embracing bold reforms like the ones mapped out by the fake speech, and demonstrating genuine leadership, President Tinubu can transform Nigeria into a more prosperous, united, and resilient country. The time for action is now, and the responsibility lies with both his government and Nigerian citizens to work together towards a brighter future. Looking back at that trending speech, by God, I just wish President Tinubu could heed to those words.