I have never said that this government has done nothing right. Every government records some achievements, and it is only fair to acknowledge them.
My concern has always been that many of the government's policies have lacked adequate planning, coordination and anticipation of their consequences.
Take the foreign exchange reforms as an example. Nigeria remains heavily dependent on imports for raw materials, machinery, pharmaceuticals and many essential goods.
Any major exchange rate adjustment without sufficient transitional measures was always going to fuel inflation and significantly increase the cost of living. If the government had anticipated these effects from the outset, it would have simultaneously introduced measures such as duty waivers on essential raw materials, production inputs, agricultural equipment, medical supplies and industrial machinery to cushion businesses and consumers.
The fact that some of these measures are only being implemented now raises questions about whether they are driven by long-term economic planning or by electoral considerations.
Security presents another example. No nation can expect exceptional performance from security personnel while neglecting their welfare. Poor salaries, inadequate accommodation, insufficient equipment, limited healthcare and weak life insurance provisions all affect morale and effectiveness. Creating state police, by itself, is not a magic solution. State police officers will largely come from the same pool of Nigerians who currently serve in the federal police.
Unless recruitment, training, funding, welfare, accountability and operational independence are substantially improved, simply changing the administrative structure is unlikely to produce dramatically different outcomes.
Infrastructure development is essential, and projects such as the coastal highway can contribute to economic growth. However, projects of such magnitude should be conceived through transparent procurement processes, competitive bidding where appropriate, comprehensive environmental impact assessments, proper stakeholder engagement and value-for-money considerations. This not only strengthens public confidence but also ensures that national development is sustainable and inclusive.
Perhaps the greatest challenge facing ordinary Nigerians today is the rising cost of living. Many families now struggle to afford life-saving medicines, quality healthcare, nutritious food and other basic necessities. If economic reforms impose significant hardship on citizens, there should also be well-designed social protection measures to cushion the most vulnerable.
Healthcare subsidies, targeted support for essential medicines, expanded health insurance and incentives for local pharmaceutical manufacturing should form part of any comprehensive reform programme.
Good governance is not measured solely by the number of projects completed or policies announced. It is measured by thoughtful planning, effective implementation, transparency, accountability and, above all, by how much government policies improve the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
Economic reforms are often necessary, but reforms succeed only when they are carefully designed, properly sequenced and accompanied by practical measures that protect the people from avoidable hardship.
Yomi Idowu
