Governments, the world over, as a matter of policy and governance prepare a to-do list, which is a policy document that guides and directs their actions in line with fulfilling their campaign promises. There could be numerous items in such policies, but fundamentally, education, national and human security, strengthening the economy as well as healthcare come top of the list.
In Nigeria, however, five years into the APC-led government, citizens are lost on the policy direction it has adopted or prioritises.
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Undoubtedly, in governance, prioritisation 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 the seamless running of government. Nothing is wrong for a review, or an outright cancellation, or adoption of a new policy that suits prevailing 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 form the basis for societal development.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has been on a nine-month strike, which has 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. Governments over the years seem to deprioritise education, only giving lip service to its importance. A meagre 5.6 per cent of Nigeria’s 2020 budget was allocated to the sector, which findings had shown is the lowest in about 10 years.
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 radicalised. As a matter of priority, government must review its education policy and develop a framework that will revitalise the sector.
A critical area which requires swift and rapid prioritisation 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 kidnapping, and terrorism especially in northern Nigeria.
The state of insecurity in the North has a rippling effect on the demographics, and economy of the region. In Zamfara for instance, farmers had to pay their way to cultivate their farm produce. Some pertinent questions need be asked, these bandits are not ghost, therefore not invincible, and, not entirely inaccessible. How do they establish contact with locals, and how do ransoms get paid?
Only recently, a UN agency, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), warned of an impending full-blown famine in northern Nigeria, this according to the report, was 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.
Similarly, farming communities in the North-central are forced to abandon their farmlands because of constant clashes with herders. Widespread distrust among these communities who were hitherto living peacefully for centuries also affect farming. National security and, food security are a double-edged sword that could spell doom and obviously, an existential threat to the country.
Peace and security should not be wished away by any serious government, especially in the 21st century. Technology makes security more complex, yet simple, for as long as the right approach is adopted. Instead of deploying ill-equipped security personnel to key high risk areas like Falgore Forest, Birnin Gwari, and bandits hideout in the hills of Zamfara and Sokoto, aerial drones like Remote Pilot Aircraft, RPA, UAVs and other sophisticated machines could do the job, effortlessly.
Had government channelled a fraction of the seriousness attached to politicking on security and governance, certainly, we won’t be combating insecurity right now. This goes down to the states, as well.
Government at all levels prioritise politicking and permutations ahead of 2023, and who cross-carpets from one party to another. It smacks of irresponsibility to relegate governance in the face of growing challenge for an obscure 2023!
Amidst growing security concern, Nigeria’s economy officially slid into its second recession in five years. According to the NBS, the country’s GDP recorded a negative growth of 3.62 per cent in Q3. Many will agree, this does not come as a surprise. In fact, it has been anticipated. The outbreak of coronavirus earlier in the year, and the attendant crash in the price of crude oil which accounts for about 80 per cent of Nigeria’s revenue, and 90 per cent of her export earnings will certainly take its toll on the economy which is already weakened.
Agriculture would have been the next cash cow had government took 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 known fact that, 60 per cent of beneficiaries are not farmers, but mostly associates and kin of political big-wigs across the divide. Regardless, some would have opted for farming had security concerns been addressed.
Taking Nigeria out of recession is not feasible if 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.
Now is the time for government to set to work – get serious minded, and tech savvy individuals to man security positions in order to tackle and bring to an end the insecurity. Such individuals are not hard to come by.
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 lots more, governance must be prioritised 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.
But, truth is, Nigeria is at war, but only this time, with itself. Thankfully, since we are a set of religious people, who believe in the potency of prayers, now is the time to pray, and pray to God for our leaders to get things right, and do what is right at the right time. Because, as it is, time is of the essence.
Mohammed is of the Department of Political Science and International Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
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