When Will Nigeria Be Allowed To Breathe? (OPINION)
By Isaac Asabor
There is no denying the fact Nigeria, a nation rich in culture and diversity, has by each passing year been grappling with multifaceted challenges over the past decade. From extremist insurgencies to clashes between herders and farmers, the country’s stability hangs in the balance.
Delving into the five major security threats that have shaped Nigeria’s recent history, it is expedient to recall that President Muhammadu Buhari’s promised to defeat Boko Haram upon his election in 2015, but the promise remained unfulfilled by the former president. The Islamist militant group, once thought to be “technically” defeated, has expanded its reach, even as poverty, ungoverned spaces, and extremist ideologies continue to fuel its insurgency.
To worsen the situation, Boko Haram’s splinter faction, the Islamic State’s West Africa Province, now rivals its parent group in size and capacity. Both continue to defy military operations.
In a similar vein, violent disputes between nomadic herders and settled farmers have escalated due to climate change and desertification. As herders move southward in search of pasture, clashes over land, water, and grazing routes have been claiming thousands of lives. For instance, Benue State, at the heart of Nigeria, has witnessed some of the deadliest attacks in this ongoing struggle.
When analyzed from the backdrop of economic downturn, it would become crystal clear that Nigeria is unarguably a nation in crisis.
In fact, Nigeria faces its worst economic crisis in decades. Inflation rates hover near 30%, and food prices have surged by 35%. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing challenges, leading to capital outflows, low oil prices, and shrinking remittances.
Without a doubt, since 2015, insurgency attacks have resulted in thousands of deaths. Millions have been forced from their homes, leaving scars on families and communities, and the security challenges have disrupted economic activities, affecting farmers’ access to their lands.
It is not an exaggeration to opine that with each attack, faith in Nigeria’s democracy wanes, leading to citizens yearning for effective governance, accountability, and lasting solutions to security threats.
Without recourse to casting aspersion on anyone, it is germane to recall in this context that former President Muhammadu Buhari, despite the lofty promises he made, left Nigeria’s economy and its sociological tapestry in quagmire leaving his successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be grappling with multifaceted challenges worse than he, Buhari, met it.
Given the foregoing, it is not an exaggeration to opine that Nigeria has by each passing year, particularly in the recent times, been falling into one major challenge to another. In fact, there is no year, since 2015, that it would not face a nagging challenge to address. Literarily put, it has hardly had the opportunity to breathe in the last few years.
For instance, it implemented its first round of lockdown in March 2020 to help reduce the spread of COVID19. The lockdown lasted until May 2020. The foregoing was as former President Muhammadu Buhari announced a gradual easing of the five-week lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos, and Ogun State, transitioning to a nationwide night curfew from May 4 to May 17. Despite challenges, Nigeria’s response to the pandemic has been commendable, with minimal deaths attributed to factors like a warmer climate, a younger population, and experience dealing with previous epidemics like Ebola.
To literarily put it, it is not an exaggeration to opine that as Nigerians were literarily convalescing from the wounds they sustained due to bad economy and bad governance that another challenge called EndSARS reared its ugly head. The EndSARS Movement primarily occurred in 2020. It was a decentralized social movement and series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria.
The movement called for the disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police known for its long record of abuse against Nigerian citizens. Young Nigerians across all six geopolitical zones united around a common goal to end police intimidation, oppression, and brutality. The protests gained global attention and solidarity, with widespread outrage on social media platforms and demonstrations in major cities nationwide. The movement also expanded to include demands for good governance and accountability amidst unprecedented hardship in the country.
In a similar vein, Nigerians endured a cash crunch from October 2022 until April 2023. During this period, Nigeria’s Central Bank (CBN) implemented a puzzling currency redesign, phasing out old ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1000 notes. The abrupt decision depressed commerce and led to productivity levels dropping significantly.
Without a doubt, 2023 was a year of tumultuous elections, controversies, and untold hardship for millions of Nigerians. The prohibitive cost of essential commodities left many struggling to survive, and since we stepped into 2024, there is no denying the fact that no improvement has been experienced in terms of standard of living and cost of living by virtually all Nigerians as it is obvious that the government is yet to take decisive action and give Nigerians enough reasons to smile.
In fact, since the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government, the increase in petroleum product prices and the drastic loss in the value of the naira have eroded the purchasing power of most Nigerians, compelling the best minds to be yielding to the “Japa syndrome,” as they seek greener pastures elsewhere. Those who remain are gasping for breath as they have no doubt being caught in the vice grip of economic hardship and insecurity.
Given the parlous socio-economic situation as been graphically painted in this context, it is not a misnomer to ask, “When Will Nigeria Be Allowed To Breathe?” The answer to the question cannot be farfetched as it lies at the heart of prudent policies
In fact, for Nigeria to breathe again, not a few Nigerians are imploring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all political leaders to prioritize policies that alleviate suffering.
To start with, Nigerians are asking for policies to bring down the high cost of foodstuff as they are paramount, particularly as not a few families have fallen into pitiable situation where they now choose between a meal and survival.
In a similar vein, the burden of transportation expenses is at the moment weighing heavily on citizens, despite the fact that efficient public transport systems and affordable fares are essential. Thus, it is against the foregoing backdrop that Nigerians poised to hold the present crème of leaders to account through series of protests across the country that have been scheduled to hold from August 1, 2024 to August 10, 2024.
Also been asked for is youth employment, which can be made possible through Job creation as idle hands breed frustration; gainful employment offers hope.
Given the foregoing demands, it is expedient to in this context urge President Tinubu, state governors, and legislators to lead by example, and this can be done through prudent living. And it can be achieved through reduction of the high cost of governance. In a similar vein, the government should eschew extravagant spending.
Analogously put, the government should sidestep unnecessary travel, and focus on impactful travel that benefits the people, not the one embarked on due to political expediency.
Without any iota of exaggeration, Nigeria deserves better. Therefore, it is germane our leaders rewrite the narratives of government for the betterment of Nigeria as a country, and that of Nigerians. In fact, our leaders should be initiating and implementing policies that allow Nigerians to breathe freely, physically and economically, and which are the need of the hour. The foregoing demands are unarguably possible with political will, and given the fact that together, we can build a nation where every citizen thrives. Be that as it may, not a few Nigerians are asking, “When Will Nigeria Be Allowed To Breathe?”