From High Hopes to Dismal Realities: Tinubu's Governance Examined

In the past year, Nigeria has experienced a rollercoaster of colossal hopelessness under this government. A landscape rife with economic problems, security issues, and political theater has replaced the high expectations that accompanied his inauguration. As we reflect on this period, it’s hard not to see all the tragic episodes that have unfolded in almost all sectors and government apparatus, including the National Assembly of Corruption.

Economically, the situation has become a grim satire. Major companies like GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble, and Sanofi have exited the Nigerian market. The Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) reported that about 767 manufacturing companies shut down operations, while 335 experienced distress in 2023. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called for an indefinite countrywide strike over pay disputes, threatening to bring the nation to a standstill. Public agencies, hospitals, and schools are on the brink of collapse due to the ongoing strike, which has paralyzed virtually every sector. The debate over the requested N494,00 minimum wage is a farce played out on the backs of struggling citizens, triggered by an embarrassing 25% and 35% initially proposed increase by the government. Inflation has soared to a staggering 33.31% as of May, transforming basic needs into dystopian challenges. Essential items have seen astronomical price hikes, with a bag of rice now costing ?82,000, up from ?32,000.

In his inauguration speech on May 29, Tinubu announced the elimination of petrol subsidies, citing fiscal problems with immediate and dramatic effects. Petrol prices soared to over ?630 per litre, causing a ripple effect through the economy and triggering panic-buying nationwide. Many were left stranded as bus operators, unable to refuel, halted services. Prices for goods and services shot up, driving inflation to a staggering 27%. This decision has thrown daily life into disarray, highlighting the fragile balance of Nigeria's fiscal policies.

The security landscape is akin to a horror story without a hero. Approximately 26 people were killed daily between January 2024 and the end of March 2024, totaling 5,000 deaths in the first seven months. This is almost 70% of the civilian death toll in Ukraine during the same period. At least 40 people were killed in Zurak village, Plateau State, and recently, 17 soldiers were killed in Delta State and 5 in Abia State. Abductions of over 400 people in Borno State, 287 students and teachers in Kuriga Kaduna State, and 8 students from Confluence University in Kogi highlight Tinubu’s failure to protect Nigerians. With over 1,200 kidnappings reported in the first half of 2024 alone, Nigeria seems to be starring in its own never-ending thriller. The audacious killing of soldiers underscores the severity of the security crisis, with Tinubu's tough rhetoric doing little to quell the fear and precariousness despite ?14.8 trillion spent on security over the past nine years.

The health sector hasn't been spared either. Despite the health budget increasing from ?1.16 trillion in 2023 to ?1.33 trillion in 2024, it still falls short of the Abuja Declarations' goals. Substantial pledges from Afreximbank ($1 billion), GFATM ($932 million), a charitable foundation ($200 million), and the Gavi Alliance ($150 million) haven't made healthcare affordable. Painkillers are now 200% more expensive, blood pressure drugs have doubled in price, and some foreign-made drugs have skyrocketed by 1000%. It's as if staying healthy is now an elite privilege. The budget increase seems more like a grand gesture than a real solution.

Due to severe inefficiency and a lack of maintenance culture, public infrastructure has been the punchline of a tragic joke. The 2019 Global Competitiveness Index Report ranked Nigeria 130th out of 141 economies for infrastructure quality. According to PwC, the allocated infrastructure spending for 2024 is ?1.32 trillion, falling short of the World Bank's suggested 70% infrastructure-to-GDP benchmark and the yearly $150 billion requirement specified in the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan for 2021-2025. The controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road is shrouded in suspicion, with the project starting from Eko Atlantic, a privileged area, even before public announcements. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) stakeholder meeting was convened after the project began. Who embarks on constructing a coastal highway at ?4B per kilometre without proper EIA? The opacity about funding sources and government-private sector synergy involvement is a growing concern for popular figures like Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi .

Politically, Tinubu's first year has been a soap opera filled with more drama than progress. Recently, Obasanjo criticized the current administration for poorly implementing supposed good solutions. The administration's promises remain largely unfulfilled, leaving the populace disillusioned and frustrated. Criticism from former leaders and analysts, including General Abdulsalami Abubakar, highlights the lack of effective action on critical issues like constitutional reform and anti-corruption efforts. Some of the most controversial moments of Tinubu's administration include the mishandling of the electricity tariff increment, where promises of power reform and availability have not materialized, leading to widespread cynicism. Allocating ?90 billion for hajj and ?50 billion for student loans only shows the government's misplaced priorities. No official can categorically say if the fuel subsidy is gone.

In summary, Nigeria's past year has been a tragicomedy of epic proportions. From economic hardships and security nightmares to public service crises and political soap operas, it's been a masterclass in mismanagement. We find ourselves caught in a perpetual cycle of despair and disillusionment, clutching at the fading hope that things might one day improve. This era of colossal hopelessness may well be remembered as a defining moment of missed opportunities and unfulfilled promises, if something is not done immediately to arrest the trend.