Governments, the world over, as a matter of policy and governance, prepared a to-do list, which is a policy document that guides and directs her actions in line with fulfilling campaign promises. There could be numerous of such policies, but, fundamentally, education, national and human security, strengthening economy as well as healthcare system come top of the list.
In Nigeria however, five years into the APC-led government, citizens are lost on the policy directions it adopted or prioritizes; because, choosing from a handful of priorities in government is quite difficult, but again it remains the most effective and important aspect of governance.
Undoubtedly, in governance, prioritization of policy is a pre-requisite for meaningful progress and attainment of goals and delivering on campaign promises. During the campaigns, the APC’s main focus was on three key areas – security, economy and fighting corruption. Five years into the administration, no end in sight, as terrorism, banditry and corruption spike to an all time high. In governance, periodic policy reviews is an internal mechanism for a seamless running of government. Nothing is wrong for a review, or an outward cancellation, or adoption of a new policy that suits contemporary realities or challenges.
It is on this premise that, we would wish to see government review its policies, pay attention to education and security which forms the basis for societal development. The Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU, had been on a 9-month strike, which had left both parents and students in a state of uncertainty. The ASUU – FG face-off has been a recurrent yet, necessary evil since the military era, till date. Government over the years seemed to deprioritize education, only giving lip service to its importance. To underscore the significance of education in shaping any society, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, recommends for developing countries a 15-20 percent national budgetary allocation to education. Unfortunately, a meagre 5.6 percent of Nigeria’s 2020 budget was allocated to the sector, which findings had shown was the lowest in about 10 years.
There’s need for an improved quality of teaching, research and training in the universities, this cannot be achieved without university recapitalization, which ASUU has been harping on. Security challenge in the country is exacerbated by unemployment and lack of education, because, an averagely educated individual is less likely to be brain-washed and radicalized. As a matter of priority, government must review its education policy and develop a framework that will revitalize the sector.
A critical area which requires swift and rapid prioritization by government is the unending security situation in the country. At the moment, it seems Nigeria is at war, or in a state of war owing to the endless abductions, banditry and kidnappings, and terrorism especially in northern Nigeria.
Few weeks ago, 9 Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, were abducted along Zamfara-Sokoto axis and spent weeks in captivity, there were conflicting reports about their rescue, some alluded ransom was paid, while others reported that some repentant bandits secured their release. Whichever version one sticks with, the point is, if some high ranking police officers could be kidnapped, chances are, an ordinary citizen is unsafe. In the same period, Kaduna-Abuja express way was a no-go area as armed kidnappers laid siege, abducting passengers including some ABU students.
Only recently, a UN agency, the Food and Agricultural Organization, FAO, warned of an impending full blown famine in northern Nigeria. This is partly as a result of rising insecurity which prevents farming. Most farmers are either scared of accessing their farmlands, or presently living in IDP camps because of displacements occasioned by banditry.
Nigeria’s economy had officially slid into its second recession in five years. The outbreak of coronavirus earlier in the year, and the attendant crash in the price of crude oil which accounts for about 80 percent of Nigeria’s revenue, and 90 percent of her export earnings will certainly take its toll on the economy which is already weakened. The warnings were there, government obviously deprioritized and downplayed the magnitude of the warning.
Agriculture would have been the next cash cow had government taken decisive steps in boosting the sector. Interventions by CBN-NIRSAL in the form of loans to farmers wouldn’t be enough without the necessary mechanism like providing specialized or technical assistance, and training of beneficiaries. It is a fact that, 60 percent of beneficiaries are not farmers, but mostly associates and kins of political big-wigs across the divide. Regardless, some would have opted for farming had security concerns were addressed, many feared, bandits could abduct them, and demand a ransom far greater than the loan.
Taking Nigeria out of recession is not feasible of insecurity is not addressed. At the moment, agriculture must come to the rescue, especially irrigation system as the farming season is over. Interventions and loans should be provided to serious farmers with proper supervision and training. Government must get down to work; get serious minded, and tech savvy individuals to man security positions in order to tackle and end insecurity. Such individuals abound. The NDA should recommend its finest and best hands into such positions. In the same vein, the Defense Industry Corporation, DICON, should recruit first class engineering and computer science graduates into its fold. That way, they can kick-start or engage in the process of developing weapons to tackle our immediate concerns. And who knows, we can begin the sale of such weapons to our neighbours in the West African sub region. It is plausible, with the right attitude, determination and resolve. India and Brazil are models; they achieved it, so we can.
The challenge confronting Nigeria is nothing but a temporal setback which can be mitigated with determination and the political will. If and when authorities take governance seriously, we would have long made great progress as a nation. With barefaced and multitudes of challenges like, Insecurity, ASUU-Strike, Economic recession, and lot more, governance must be prioritize above partisan politics. If anything, the #EndSARS ought to have taught those in position of authority a great lesson which is growing resentment exacerbated by unemployment and hunger, and now, recession.
The next few months are certainly going to be tumultuous, the storm has gathered – an impending famine in the agric-zone of Nigeria and, economic recession. Whether the captain can weather the storm and steer the ship excellently remains to be seen. But, truth is, Nigeria is at war, but only this time, with itself.
Mohammed is writes from Department of Political Science and International Relations, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria via [email protected]
