Nigeria @ 66: Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi stakeholders assess Tinubu’s reforms

Nigeria @ 66: Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi stakeholders assess Tinubu’s reforms

By Mohammad Baba Busu

Stakeholders in Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi have identified infrastructure development, economic reforms, agriculture, education, healthcare, power and security as areas where Nigeria has recorded progress under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The stakeholders, who spoke in separate interviews as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, however, called for sustained efforts to address economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and other challenges affecting citizens.

In Niger, Dr Abdullahi Jabi, a public analyst and security expert, commended the administration for its fiscal and economic reforms, saying some of the measures were beginning to produce results.

Jabi said the unification of the foreign exchange market had contributed to improved stability of the naira compared with the period shortly after the currency was floated.

He also cited ongoing infrastructure projects, including the coastal road and rehabilitation and reconstruction of federal roads across the country, as notable developments.

The expert said increased wages and salaries of public servants, particularly security personnel, had also helped to motivate workers.

He described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as another significant initiative, saying it would expand access to tertiary education for students from less-privileged families.

According to him, electricity supply has also shown signs of improvement, while small and medium-scale enterprises are gradually recovering.

Jabi said interventions aimed at equipping vulnerable persons with vocational skills could help reduce begging, illegal mining and other activities that could fuel criminality.

He, however, called for greater collaboration among stakeholders in the North to address insecurity and other socio-economic challenges, rather than leaving the responsibility solely to government.

Jabi also commended the removal of the petrol subsidy, saying the measure had created an opportunity for government to redirect resources to infrastructure and other areas of development.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to give greater attention to vulnerable Nigerians, noting that the reforms had also brought significant economic hardship to citizens.

He called for measures to make crude oil available to domestic refineries at competitive prices to enable them to produce petrol locally and reduce transportation and import-related costs.

The expert also urged government to promote competition in the manufacturing sector, particularly the cement industry, to help reduce the cost of housing.

In Nasarawa, stakeholders highlighted developments in infrastructure, solid minerals, power, agriculture and security, while acknowledging the hardship associated with some of the reforms.

Bala John, a public affairs analyst, said Nasarawa had benefited from the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in solid minerals and fiscal reforms.

John said the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange-rate reforms had increased allocations to states, enabling the Nasarawa Government to execute more projects.

He said the increase in monthly allocations had helped the state sustain payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities while implementing road projects.

On security, John said moves toward the establishment of state police and the creation of new Army formations could improve security in rural communities.

Also, Dr Aminu Bello, an Economics lecturer at the Federal University of Lafia, said the reforms had produced mixed effects on citizens.

Bello said the formalisation of artisanal mining and the Federal Government’s policy on local processing of solid minerals had attracted mining investments to Nasarawa and created employment opportunities.

He, however, said the removal of subsidy had increased transportation costs and contributed to higher food prices, although government interventions, including CNG buses and state palliative programmes, were providing some relief.

Mrs Grace Obey, a trader at the Lafia Modern Market, said inflation had made business difficult, although improved electricity supply and cash-transfer programmes had helped some households.

Ovey urged government to address the rising cost of living and insecurity in some communities.

Mr Francis Nansak, a journalist and resident of Keffi, said the dualisation of the Keffi-Abuja Road had reduced travel time, improved safety and lowered vehicle maintenance costs.

In Kogi, residents also acknowledged progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic reforms but called for sustained efforts to address insecurity and expand economic opportunities.

Mr Taiye Alabi, a legal practitioner, said Federal Government projects had contributed to socio-economic development in the state, particularly in road infrastructure, healthcare, education and agriculture.

Alabi identified the Abuja-Lokoja Expressway, particularly the Abaji-Koton Karfe section, as important to the movement of people, agricultural produce and goods between Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the country.

He also said the 1.6-kilometre emergency rehabilitation of the Itobe-Ayingba Road had provided relief to motorists and improved connectivity.

He, however, called for improved funding, implementation and maintenance of federal projects, citing delays in some road reconstruction projects as a challenge.

On agriculture, Mrs Tomilayo Olajide-Gbadebo, a resident of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, said the Odo-Ape Dam could significantly boost food production and rural development if completed and effectively utilised.

She said the dam, designed to support irrigation across about 700 hectares and benefit more than 2,800 farmers, could promote dry-season farming, create jobs and increase rural incomes.

On security, Idris Abdul, Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), called for stronger coordination among the three tiers of government and security agencies.

Abdul said poverty, unemployment, inequality, corruption and political exclusion should be addressed alongside security measures to tackle violent extremism and other threats to national stability.

He also stressed the need for improved information sharing and protection of citizens’ rights and welfare.

On the economy, Musa Bakare, a member of the Tinubu Support Group in Kogi, described the removal of petrol subsidy, foreign exchange reforms and changes in taxation, education, power, infrastructure and security as major structural measures requiring sustained attention.

Bakare said the impact of the reforms should be assessed in terms of both their immediate difficulties and longer-term effects on the economy.

He called for continued investment in infrastructure, energy, industrialisation, security and human capital development.

The stakeholders said as Nigeria entered another year of independence, sustained investment, effective implementation of public projects, improved security, accountable governance and greater economic opportunities would be necessary to deepen national development.

They urged Nigerians to use the anniversary to reflect on the country’s achievements and challenges and renew their commitment to peace, unity, development and democratic values.