Nigeria is facing a multitude of challenges, from pervasive poverty and hunger to escalating insecurity and inadequate government policies. These challenges have profound implications for the well-being and development of the country and its people. The pressing question on the minds of many citizens is: which way Nigeria?
Poverty and Hunger
Nigeria has one of the highest poverty rates in the world, with millions of people living below the poverty line. According to the World Bank, as many as 4 in 10 Nigerians live below the national poverty line. Poverty is more prevalent in rural areas, where 52 percent of the population is poor, compared to 18 percent in urban areas.
Hunger is also a harsh reality for a significant portion of the population, as food insecurity continues to be a pressing issue. Nearly 25 million Nigerians are at risk of facing hunger between June and August 2024 (lean season) if urgent action is not taken, according to the October 2023 Cadre Harmonisé, a Government led and UN-supported food and nutrition analysis carried out twice a year. This is a projected increase from the estimated 17 million people currently at risk of food insecurity. Continued conflict, climate change, inflation and rising food prices are key drivers of this alarming trend.
The government’s efforts to address these challenges have barely scratched the surface, leaving many citizens to wonder when real and tangible progress will be made. The government has launched several poverty alleviation and social protection programs, such as the National Social Investment Program (NSIP), the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Program (NHGSFP). However, these programs have been criticized for being poorly designed, implemented, and monitored, as well as being prone to corruption and political interference. Moreover, these programs have not reached the majority of the poor and vulnerable, especially in the conflict-affected regions of the north-east and north-west.
Children are the most vulnerable to poverty and hunger. Approximately 6 of the 17 million food-insecure Nigerians today are children under 5 living in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara states. There is a serious risk of mortality among children attributed to acute malnutrition. In the BAY states alone, the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is expected to increase from 1.74 million in 2023 to 2 million in 2024. An estimated 2 million children in Nigeria suffer from SAM. Exclusive breastfeeding rates have not improved significantly over the past decade, with only 17 percent of babies being exclusively breastfed during their first six months of life.
Insecurity
Insecurity is another critical issue plaguing Nigeria. The country is grappling with a multitude of security concerns, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes. The pervasive insecurity has led to displacement, loss of lives, and significant disruptions to daily life for many Nigerians.
The insurgency in the north-east, led by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram and its splinter faction Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has been raging for over a decade, claiming over 40,000 lives and displacing over 2 million people. The humanitarian crisis in the region is one of the worst in the world, with 8.3 million people in need of assistance.
The north-west and north-central regions have also witnessed a surge in violence, as armed groups known as bandits have been terrorizing communities, raiding villages, killing and kidnapping people, and stealing livestock. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), more than 8,000 people have been killed and over 200,000 displaced by banditry in these regions since 2011.
Kidnapping for ransom has also become a lucrative and widespread criminal activity in Nigeria, affecting all parts of the country. According to the Nigeria Security Tracker, there were 1,583 reported kidnappings in 2021, a 50 percent increase from 2020. The victims include ordinary citizens, businessmen, politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and students. In 2021 alone, over 1,000 students were abducted from their schools by bandits, some of whom are still in captivity.
Communal clashes, often along ethnic, religious, or political lines, have also contributed to the insecurity and instability in Nigeria. These clashes are often triggered by disputes over land, water, grazing rights, or political representation. Some of the worst affected states include Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Taraba, and Zamfara. According to ACLED, more than 7,000 people have been killed and over 500,000 displaced by communal violence in Nigeria since 2011.
The government must urgently devise and implement effective strategies to address these security challenges and ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens. The government has deployed military and police forces to combat the various security threats, but these have often proven inadequate, ineffective, or abusive. There have been reports of human rights violations, extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary arrests by security forces, as well as allegations of corruption and collusion with criminal elements. The government has also engaged in dialogue and negotiation with some of the armed groups, such as the bandits and the Boko Haram faction led by Shekau, but these have not yielded lasting peace or security.
The government should prioritize security sector reform and investment in intelligence gathering and technology to effectively combat insecurity. The government should also address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, inequality, marginalization, and poor governance. The government should also promote dialogue, reconciliation, and social cohesion among the diverse ethnic, religious, and political groups in the country.
Government Policies
Government policies have been found lacking in terms of addressing the root causes of these pressing issues. While some policies have been introduced, they often fail to produce the desired impact on the lives of the people. There is a need for more comprehensive and sustainable policies that holistically address the multifaceted dimensions of poverty, hunger, and insecurity.
The government has adopted several macroeconomic policies, such as fiscal, trade, and exchange rate policies, to stabilize the economy and boost growth. However, these policies have not been consistent, coherent, or effective, as the economy remains vulnerable to external shocks, such as fluctuations in oil prices, and suffers from high inflation, low productivity, and weak competitiveness. The government has also failed to diversify the economy away from its dependence on oil, which accounts for over 90 percent of export earnings and 60 percent of government revenue.
The government has also implemented some policies to boost the productivity of farm and non-farm household enterprises, which employ the majority of the workforce and contribute to the livelihoods of the poor. These policies include the Anchor Borrowers Program (ABP), which provides credit and inputs to smallholder farmers, and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Survival Fund, which provides grants and payroll support to MSMEs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these policies have been hampered by limited coverage, poor targeting, inadequate monitoring, and corruption .
The government has also enacted some policies to improve access to electricity, water, and sanitation, while bolstering information and communication technologies. These policies include the Power Sector Recovery Program (PSRP), which aims to improve the performance and sustainability of the power sector, and the National Broadband Plan (NBP), which aims to increase broadband penetration and access. However, these policies have faced challenges in terms of funding, implementation, and regulation, as the country still suffers from low and unreliable power supply, poor water and sanitation services, and high cost and low quality of internet services .
Cost of Governance
One of the factors that contribute to the high cost of governance in Nigeria is the excessive remuneration and allowances of public office holders, especially the legislators. According to a former minister of education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Nigeria spent over one trillion naira on National Assembly members since 2005. She also noted that Nigerian legislators are the highest paid in the world, earning about $450,000 per annum, compared to $174,000 per annum for their counterparts in the United States. This is in a country where the minimum wage is N30,000 per month, equivalent to $78 per month, and where millions of people live below the poverty line.
Another factor that inflates the cost of governance in Nigeria is the duplication and proliferation of government agencies and parastatals, many of which perform overlapping or redundant functions. According to a report by the Oronsaye Committee, which was set up in 2011 to review the structure and cost of governance in Nigeria, there are 541 government parastatals, commissions and agencies, out of which 263 are statutory, 153 are non-statutory, and 125 are dormant. The report recommended the abolition or merger of 102 statutory agencies, the conversion of 89 non-statutory agencies into departments within ministries, and the de-funding of 38 dormant agencies. However, the report has not been fully implemented by successive governments, despite its potential to save billions of naira and improve efficiency.
A third factor that increases the cost of governance in Nigeria is the wastage of public funds on white elephant projects that have no economic or social value. White elephant projects are projects that are initiated by public office holders for political or personal reasons, without regard for their feasibility, viability, or sustainability. Such projects often consume huge amounts of resources, but are either abandoned, underutilized, or uncompleted. Examples of such projects include the numerous airports constructed by state governors, which are hardly used by commercial airlines or passengers; the model schools built by some state governments, which are either dilapidated, unoccupied, or taken over by criminals; and the various monuments, statues, and edifices erected by some state governments, which serve no functional purpose.
Solutions
To reduce the cost of governance in Nigeria, there is a need for a comprehensive and holistic reform of the public sector, which should include the following measures:
- Review and rationalize the remuneration and allowances of public office holders, especially the legislators, to reflect the economic realities and the living standards of the majority of Nigerians. The Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), which is the constitutional body responsible for determining the salaries and allowances of public office holders, should be empowered and independent to carry out this function without undue interference or influence from the executive or the legislature.
- Implement the recommendations of the Oronsaye Committee report on the restructuring and rationalization of government agencies and parastatals, to eliminate duplication, overlap, and redundancy, and to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. The government should also conduct periodic audits and reviews of the performance and relevance of existing agencies and parastatals, and abolish or merge those that are found to be unnecessary or unproductive.
- Adopt a more prudent and transparent approach to public expenditure and project management, to ensure that public funds are spent on projects that have clear economic or social benefits, and that are feasible, viable, and sustainable. The government should also ensure that projects are properly planned, executed, monitored, and evaluated, and that they are subjected to public scrutiny and accountability. The government should also avoid initiating new projects without completing or maintaining existing ones, and should prioritize projects that have direct impact on the welfare and development of the people.
The Way Forward
At this critical juncture, it is essential for Nigeria to chart a clear and focused path forward. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders – the government, civil society, private sector, and the citizens themselves. Nigeria needs robust and visionary leadership to steer the country toward a future where poverty and hunger are eradicated, and peace and security prevail.
To move forward, Nigeria must prioritize inclusive economic growth, investment in agriculture, and job creation. The government should pursue sound and consistent macroeconomic policies that foster stability, diversification, and competitiveness. The government should also invest in agriculture, which accounts for over 20 percent of GDP and employs over 40 percent of the labor force. The government should support smallholder farmers and agribusinesses with access to credit, inputs, technology, markets, and infrastructure. The government should also create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and generate employment opportunities, especially for the youth, who constitute over 60 percent of the population and face high unemployment and underemployment rates.
Furthermore, there is a critical need for sustained and transparent governance, committed to combating corruption and implementing policies that alleviate poverty and hunger. The government should strengthen its anti-corruption institutions and mechanisms, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and ensure that they operate independently and effectively. The government should also enhance its public financial management and accountability systems, such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and ensure that they are fully implemented and monitored. The government should also expand and improve its social protection programs, such as the NSIP
Conclusion
Nigeria is at a crossroads, facing a myriad of challenges that threaten its development and stability. Poverty and hunger, insecurity, and inadequate government policies are some of the most pressing issues that need to be urgently addressed. The question is: which way Nigeria?
The answer lies in the collective will and action of all stakeholders – the government, civil society, private sector, and the citizens themselves. Nigeria needs strong and visionary leadership that can steer the country toward a future where poverty and hunger are eradicated, and peace and security prevail. Nigeria also needs active and responsible citizenship that can hold the government accountable and participate in the development process.
Nigeria has the potential to overcome its current challenges and achieve its aspirations of becoming a prosperous and peaceful nation. Nigeria has abundant human and natural resources, a vibrant and diverse culture, and a resilient and optimistic spirit. Nigeria also has the opportunity to leverage the global and regional partnerships and initiatives that support its development agenda, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the African Union Agenda 2063.
The road ahead for Nigeria may be challenging, but it is not insurmountable. With bold and decisive action, Nigeria can turn the tide and set the stage for a brighter and more promising future. It is time for the nation to come together, united in purpose, to address the pressing question: which way Nigeria? It is only through collective efforts and effective leadership that Nigeria can navigate through these trying times and emerge stronger and more prosperous on the other side. The time to act is now.
©️ Agbeze Ireke Kalu Onuma, AI-KO
February 29th 2024
Kmekonint@yahoo.com
Lagos
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