A prominent human rights advocate, Senator Shehu Sani, voiced a stark warning on Wednesday about the ongoing economic reforms implemented by the Federal Government, suggesting they will fail if they do not provide tangible relief for Nigerians enduring hardships.
Sani shared his views during an appearance on the current affairs program Frontline, aired on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese, Ijebu, which was observed by The Guardian.
He contended that measures such as the removal of fuel subsidies, although necessary, have been launched without sufficient preparatory steps, resulting in an increase in the cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment for many citizens.
The activist elaborated that these policies are not sustainable for a nation of over 230 million individuals reliant mainly on oil revenue, cautioning that ongoing subsidy expenditures equate to "eating our future."
Sani acknowledged that while the removal of the fuel subsidy was economically unavoidable, its implementation lacked consideration for its human impact. "Subsidy was not sustainable for a population exceeding 230 million people. Continuing this way would ultimately mean consuming our future," he expressed.
He criticized the government for not mitigating the immediate consequences of such decisions, stating, "You don’t eliminate subsidies first and then look for compensatory measures later. It is essential to support the citizens before introducing shocks to their lives,” he emphasized.
Sani recognized that states have started receiving much larger allocations, with some budgets soaring from hundreds of billions to over one trillion naira, yet he questioned the effectiveness of these funds. "When citizens are urged to make sacrifices while those in leadership continue to indulge in extravagant lifestyles, it undermines the credibility of reforms," Sani remarked.
"States are receiving unprecedented financial support today, but the populace does not seem to benefit from it. This is the real challenge. When a significant portion of the population is impoverished, they feel they have nothing left to lose.
“This breeds protests and creates an unstable society,” he warned.
When assessing the overall state of governance, Sani pointed out that although the current administration had entered office with great optimism, it has underestimated the magnitude of Nigeria’s existing challenges.
“Campaigning and governing are not the same. Numerous promises are made without a full awareness of the reality on the ground,” he noted, highlighting that despite being from the same political party, Nigeria has experienced two vastly different approaches to governance.
“This administration opted for a reform route that past governments chose not to take. Reform is typically a challenging process in any country,” he stated.
He cautioned that timing and empathy are crucial. "No president can maintain popularity while imposing difficult reforms. However, the public will persevere if they perceive hope and justice," he added.
Discussing security issues, Sani characterized the situation as a persistent national concern that has persisted across various administrations.
“This issue has a long history. It has been managed through the leaderships of Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari, and now Tinubu. Although instances of student abductions have decreased in several regions, atrocities by bandits and terrorist groups are still prevalent,” he remarked.
He urged the government to make quick, tangible progress, asserting that this year, Nigerians should see that the reforms will also enhance security and dignity, particularly for rural communities.
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