Nigeria is currently facing a series of profound challenges, including insecurity, the removal of fuel subsidies, the devaluation of the Naira, and an increase in electricity tariffs. Addressing these issues requires deliberate and comprehensive efforts from the Federal Government. These problems cannot be ignored or wished away, yet the government’s response so far seems vague and lacking in concrete actions. As a result, Nigerians are enduring immense hardship due to recent government reforms. Years of corruption and mismanagement by politicians have brought us to this crisis.
For three weeks, I found it difficult to read Nigerian newspapers, overwhelmed by stories of widespread looting and corruption. It took a great deal of courage to start reading them again. The headlines are often filled with reports of officials embezzling staggering amounts of money. Too often, politicians rely solely on civil servants to suggest solutions. I believe the entire nation should be engaged in discussing each of these critical issues. Let the national conversation be broadcast on television and radio, where experts, stakeholders, and citizens can openly address the problems we face. This kind of inclusive approach can lead to meaningful solutions.
I also believe that the partial restoration of the fuel subsidy is necessary. A controlled, publicly announced price reduction for petrol would provide immediate relief. Lower fuel costs would bring down transportation fares and the prices of essential goods. Families would no longer need to send their children trekking to school, and workers could return to full-time schedules, no longer exhausted from long, arduous walks to their offices.
Additionally, the hike in electricity tariffs must be reversed. The government should not be swayed by bureaucratic statistics; the President must overrule this increase for the sake of the common good. Already, institutions such as hospitals and universities are struggling to cope with the added costs. The process of singling out entities for special exemptions is cumbersome and inefficient.
President Tinubu should take a more hands-on approach to understanding the plight of everyday Nigerians. Watching different television channels for just 30 minutes a day, covering various regions, would give him direct insight into the challenges facing the population. Why should parastatals be allowed to reap enormous profits at the expense of ordinary citizens?
Moreover, Nigerians must stay vigilant and ensure that the government does not manipulate the legal system to establish a one-party state. It is suspicious that while many sectors are suffering, civil servants in the legal system have been granted a threefold salary increase. This could raise concerns about undue influence.
It would be a wise move for the President to pardon those arrested during the recent protests. These demonstrations were a genuine response to the widespread dissatisfaction with his reforms. Instead of relying on surface-level changes, the President must swiftly reassess and adjust his policies. If his advisers are telling him that all is well, they are doing him a disservice. The youth are not interested in overthrowing the government—they simply want their voices heard.
The recent crackdown on protests suggests that the government cannot tolerate criticism. Punitive measures, such as freezing the accounts of those detained, should be reversed. Nigerians are suffering, and their grievances are real. The President has the capacity to organise effectively and must focus on addressing the immediate challenges while planning for the future. He has both a physical and spiritual responsibility to lead, knowing that every thought, word, and action is accountable to a higher power.
The President must also broaden his inner circle beyond familiar faces from Lagos. To address staffing needs, he should consult with governors across the nation, regardless of their political affiliations. When filling positions, he must ensure that those nominated are capable and not simply relatives of the governors. The situation is dire—prices have skyrocketed, with a single tuber of yam now costing N5,000, and a bundle of vegetables that used to cost N100 now priced at N200. Sellers attribute these increases to rising petrol prices, and this trend could lead to widespread malnutrition.
To address corruption and inequality, Nigeria should eliminate housing allowances for civil servants starting in January 2026. Everyone, aside from the President and Vice President, should live on their salary alone. This policy should also apply at the state level. Ultimately, Nigeria needs restructuring. Each state must be empowered to manage its own affairs, including the establishment of state police forces, to reduce the overwhelming power of the federal government.
We must act now, for the future of our country depends on it.
•Olasupo Abidakun writes from Iju, Lagos
