A national conversation hosted by the People’s Parliament of the Initiative for Good and Informed Citizenship on the performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration has yielded sharply divergent assessments on economic recovery, even as panelists and attendees delivered unanimous condemnation of the worsening national security crisis.
The virtual forum, titled “Is Nigeria Getting Better?”, featured a dynamic mix of an economist, a branding expert, and a policy critic, drawing participants from Nigeria and the diaspora to assess the government two and a half years into its tenure.
The core of the economic debate centered on the administration's initial reforms: the fuel subsidy removal and exchange-rate unification.
Mr. Muyiwa Kayode, a branding expert, defended the policies as "unpopular but necessary decisions", arguing that the reduction in arbitrage and improved fuel availability prove the country is "headed in the right direction."
Prof. Babatunde Oke, Head of the Finance Department at the University of Lagos, offered a more granular, data-driven perspective, acknowledging "some healing" in key economic indices.
He noted that inflation eased from a peak of $34.6\%$ to $16.05\%$; food inflation dropped from $39.9\%$ to $13.2\%$; GDP growth rose to $4.23\%$; and oil output increased to $1.66$ million barrels per day.
Also, Prof. Oke critically warned that economic gains are being undermined by persistent insecurity and a lack of effective policy cushioning.
In sharp contrast, Mr. James Aderoju, a U.S.-based architect and public policy critic, rejected any notion of progress, warning that the country has been moving in the wrong direction for years, asserting that "90 to 95 percent" of Nigerians are demonstrably worse off than three years ago.
Security emerged as the consensus point of failure, drawing severe criticism from the panel and audience alike. Prof. Oke cited poor intelligence coordination as the core security failure, concluding, “Foreign investors will not come where kidnapping is rampant.”
Security emerged as the consensus point of failure, drawing severe criticism from the panel and audience alike. Prof. Oke cited poor intelligence coordination as the core security failure, concluding, “Foreign investors will not come where kidnapping is rampant.”
He lamented the exodus of foreign companies due to the climate of fear. Mr. Kayode admitted the government is "not doing enough" on security, calling it "critical because security affects everything - the economy, food security, investment."
Mr. Aderoju broadened the critique to include leadership communication, urging President Tinubu to cultivate the habit of speaking directly to citizens during crises, saying, “The Commander-in-Chief must address citizens to comfort them.”
Audience members were highly charged, with one participant from the U.K. stating that security is "non-existent" and another, Abiola R., observing that negotiations with bandits had regrettably become "a business model."
The panel was divided on the priority of infrastructure projects. Mr. Aderoju urged the scrapping of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, calling it “the wrong big thing to build right now,” arguing that funds should be redirected to rural roads and electrification that benefit the most people.
The panel was divided on the priority of infrastructure projects. Mr. Aderoju urged the scrapping of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, calling it “the wrong big thing to build right now,” arguing that funds should be redirected to rural roads and electrification that benefit the most people.
Mr. Kayode countered, insisting the road is a “mega project” essential for Nigeria’s global positioning. “Nigeria must begin to do big things if we truly want to be a giant,” he said.
Prof. Oke prioritized fixing insecurity, boosting healthcare and education, and achieving “zero importation” of refined petroleum.
In a final note on implementation, Prof. Oke attributed past vision failures to poor execution and leaders “living large” despite widespread suffering, while Mr. Kayode noted that visionary plans must be simple enough to be articulated to and impact the daily life of "the man on the street."
The session, moderated by former journalist Chris Tunde Odediran, concluded with a reminder that Nigeria’s progress ultimately depends on evidence, accountability, and participation from both the leadership and the citizenry.
The session, moderated by former journalist Chris Tunde Odediran, concluded with a reminder that Nigeria’s progress ultimately depends on evidence, accountability, and participation from both the leadership and the citizenry.
Biodun Durojaiye, co-founder of the Initiative for Good and Informed Citizenship, stated: "The People’s Parliament provides a vital, non-partisan platform for Nigerians globally to engage with complex policy issues using data and informed analysis.
This debate underscores the urgent need for leaders to translate economic metrics into tangible improvements in the daily welfare and security of every citizen."
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