On Monday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a nationwide broadcast on the occasion of the new year 2024 re-assured Nigerians that his administration was focused on alleviating their sufferings. BENJAMIN SAMSON in this report speaks with experts on the take-aways from the president’s speech.
The president outlined in his speech the objectives of his administration for 2024 as well as his broadened plans for Nigerians in the New Year.
Overview
In an interview with this reporter, an associate professor of Political Science at University of Abuja, Yusuf Yaqub, gave an overview of the speech.
“In his New Year’s speech, he reminisced on his journey to becoming president and praised Nigeria’s 24 years of uninterrupted democracy. He assessed his achievements in the last seven months since taking office, highlighting his efforts to prevent what he called a ‘fiscal catastrophe’ from befalling Nigeria.
“In his about 15-minute speech, Tinubu spoke on a wide range of issues. He said 2023 was a transition year and thereafter gave a recap of what his administration has been doing in the last seven months. He acknowledged the economic pains the subsidy removal on petrol and the unification of exchange rate have inflicted on Nigerians. He touched briefly on security where he stated that his government has silently been freeing those abducted and his efforts to revive the economy.
“He also spoke on the pivotal role of electricity when he said his administration recognises that no meaningful economic transformation can happen without a steady electricity supply. Mention was also made of the quest to restart local refining of petroleum products with Port Harcourt Refinery, and the Dangote Refinery which is expected to fully come on stream in the course of the year.
“He said his government is racing against time to ensure the entire fiscal and tax policy reforms needed to be put in place are codified and simplified to ensure the business environment does not destroy value. He touched on agricultural reform and his commitment to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet and other staple crops.
“The president did not mince words in emphasising once more that no excuse for poor performance from any of his appointees would be good enough. According to him, it is the reason he has put in place a Policy Coordination, Evaluation, Monitoring and Delivery Unit in the Presidency to make sure that governance output improves the living conditions of Nigerians,” he said.
Criticisms
However, the speech has generated both positive and negative reactions from experts in various fields.
In a chat with this reporter, a public affairs commentator Yahaya Onogwu, said President Tinubu did not mention the recent attacks that claimed dozens of lives in Plateau state during his New Year address to the nation Monday.
He said: “Gunmen attacked villages in Nigeria’s Plateau state between December 24 and December 27, leaving over 200 dead and many injured. The region has a history of religious and ethnic tensions.
“The killings have generated and are still generating condemnations from both local and international observers, while the call for self-defence is rising.
“While addressing the nation on January 1, Tinubu refused to specifically mention the Plateau incident in his speech. The president was also silent on the continuous attacks, kidnappings, and abductions by armed bandits in Sokoto, Zamfara, and others. Tinubu’s speech focused mainly on economic recovery and said little about security.”
Similarly, a public policy analyst with Green Africa Foundation, Dr. Osagie Onyinme, in a chat with this reporter, pointed out some areas where the president was silent.
He said, “Mr. President is also silent on his proposed Infrastructure Support Fund for the states. He is equally silent on the promise to invest N100 billion between August 2023 and March 2024 to acquire 3, 000 units of 20-seater Compressed Natural Gas-fuelled buses.
“Federal workers are complaining that the N35, 000 wage award promised to federal workers has only been paid once, which is for September 2023. What has happened to the October, November and December awards? Now he is promising a living wage. Can he be trusted? The president did not talk about anti-corruption, education, health and human capital development. He is equally silent on restructuring to streamline and cut down on the cost of governance. Is there going to be a National Population and Housing Census in 2024? Mum’s the word from Tinubu.”
The economy
However, a researcher with the national institute for policy and strategic studies in Jos, plateau state, Dr. Pankyes Habila, hailed the president for renewing the hope of Nigerians in the speech.
He said: “Recall that the President made a bold and strategic move immediately after his swearing in with the removal of fuel subsidy. This decision, born out of a commitment to fiscal responsibility and a keen eye on national progress, is a testament to the administration’s dedication to effective resource allocation and blocking avenues of wastage.
“The removal of the fuel subsidies is a decisive step towards channelling resources where they matter most – impacting sectors critical to our national development. By redirecting these funds, President Tinubu aims to bolster key areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, humanitarian, security and other sectors that directly influence the well-being and prosperity of our citizens.
“Although the move is not without its challenges, it signifies his unwavering commitment to making difficult decisions in the interest of the greater good. It aligns with his vision for a Nigeria that thrives on efficiency, transparency, and responsible governance. Fuel subsidy removal is a crucial step towards a more sustainable economic future, and we are working tirelessly to ensure that the benefits of this decision are felt by all citizens.
“Like I said, the removal of fuel subsidies is also accompanied with some initial challenges, but President Tinubu and the administration have been taking all necessary measures to alleviate the pains being felt, and to cushion the impact of these reforms. These interventions are designed to serve as palliatives in the short and medium-term, while we wait to reap the long-term benefits of the reforms.”
Agriculture, food security
Likewise, a lecturer in the department of agronomy, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Dr. Abdullahi Maikano, said: The speech adequately captures his plans to revolutionise agriculture in Nigeria in order to ensure food security.
“Remember, in a bid to ensure food sufficiency and tackle the increase in food prices in the country, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security. That decision was in sync with the rechristening of the name of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
“The declaration of emergency on food security was a decisive move that reflects the administration’s determination to address a pressing issue that directly affects the well-being of our citizens. It’s also a strategic response to the challenges that have hindered the growth of our agricultural sector and, consequently, threatened our nation’s food supply.
“President Tinubu, with foresight and determination, aims to fortify our food production systems, ensuring that no citizen goes without this basic necessity.
“This measure signifies a call to action for comprehensive reforms, innovative strategies, and collaborative efforts among various stakeholders. President Tinubu is mobilising resources and implementing policies that will not only address immediate concerns but also establish a resilient and sustainable food ecosystem for the future.
Continuing, he said: “As part of the plans to boost food production in the country, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security flagged off the cultivation of dry-season staple crops in Hadejia, Jigawa state.
“This project falls under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agropocket (NAGS-AP) through the support of $134m loan facility from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to expand the capacity of our farmers to engage in the cultivation of key staples like rice, maize, cassava and wheat, across the country. These high value staples will be joined by others like soybeans and sorghum in the wet season.
“The project unveiled in Jigawa plans to support between 150,000 to 250,000 wheat farmers with 50% input subsidies to cultivate between 200,000 and 250,000 hectares and an expected yield of 1,250,000 tonnes of wheat. This project aims to increase crop yield by at least 20% compared to last year.
“Similarly, the government launched the National Potato Strategy 2023-2028 to usher in a new era of productive competitiveness in Potato farming.
“There is currently collaboration between the Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security and Water Resources to promote year-round farming practices, fostering sustainable agricultural development.
“The Ministry also negotiated and signed Memoranda of Understanding with John Deere and Tata for the production of 5,000 tractors annually for the next five years.”
Foreign investments
Tinubu also addressed the issues foreign investors face in Nigeria. He promised that his administration would remove these barriers.
Reacting to this, Yaqub lauded the president for the steps he has taken so far to attract investments into the country.
He said, “Over the last couple of months, President Tinubu has proved himself as the chief salesman for Nigeria, criss-crossing the globe to boost Nigeria’s image, foster international partnerships and attract the needed foreign direct investments to our country. The president has carried out a series of international shuttles, engaging with leaders and business communities across the globe. These diplomatic missions demonstrate his commitment to position Nigeria as a prime destination for foreign investments.
“The president was in Paris, for the Summit on New Global Financing, followed by the G20 Summit in India, the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Saudi-Africa Summit in Riyadh, the G20 Compact with Africa Conference in Berlin, Germany and the Climate Change Summit in the UAE.
“The president’s international engagement is not merely a diplomatic formality but a deliberate pursuit to showcase the immense potential and opportunities that Nigeria holds. By establishing these connections, we aim to stimulate economic growth, create job opportunities, and enhance the overall prosperity of our citizens.
“The president seizes every opportunity to affirm his status as the Chief Marketing Officer of Nigeria, consistently reiterating the message that Nigeria is open for business and investment, and that the Federal Government will do everything to guarantee the sanctity of all domestic and foreign investment.
“The international shuttles are yielding positive outcomes, with expressions of interest from various quarters to invest in key sectors of our economy. President Tinubu’s engagements have not only highlighted our nation’s potential, but have also demonstrated our commitment to being a responsible and collaborative player in the global community. Indeed, we have begun to see the tangible impact of these efforts with well over $15 billion in pledges of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in energy, steel, defence, automotive, and other sectors.
“The inflow of foreign investments is poised to contribute to infrastructure development, enhancing our petroleum refining capacity, technology transfer, and the overall advancement of key sectors, further solidifying Nigeria’s position on the global economic stage.
“In addition to the pledges, investors are already taking action. For example, a month ago, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Japan broke ground on a new multi-million-dollar manufacturing plant in Ogun state; the first such investment by the company in Africa.”
Security
The president also reiterated his commitment to the security of lives and property of all Nigerians irrespective of affiliations.
A security expert Commodore Ayodele Morgan (retd.) told this reporter that President Tinubu has made the fight against insecurity a top priority of his administration as contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said: “Comprehensive strategies are being implemented to address the root causes of these issues and ensure a safer, more secure Nigeria.
“The President understands the multifaceted nature of the challenges, and his commitment extends beyond military interventions. It encompasses even non-kinetic approaches. The goal is not only to quell immediate threats but also to create an environment where citizens can live without fear and insecurity.
“Investments in the modernisation and equipping of our security forces, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement are key components of this commitment. The Nigerian Air Force a few months ago took delivery of four new aircraft, to strengthen the fight against banditry and terrorism.
“President Tinubu is working tirelessly to ensure that our security apparatus is well-equipped, motivated, and strategically positioned to protect our nation from external and internal threats.
“Furthermore, efforts are underway to address the root causes of insecurity, including youth unemployment, poverty, and social inequality. The administration is dedicated to creating sustainable solutions that will not only tackle the symptoms, but also address the underlying factors contributing to insecurity.
“The lion’s share of this year’s supplementary budget of N2.17 trillion went to security and a sizable portion of the 2024 budget will also go to security. This becomes necessary in order to acquire and deploy additional platforms, recruit more security personnel, conduct training among others.”
