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BAT: Beware of the Experts

(AI translation from Hausa?

During debates about SAP in 1986, experts claimed that devaluing the Naira would improve the economy. We Nigerians, labeled as ignorant, argued otherwise, saying, “No way! Prices will skyrocket.” Babangida listened to the experts and started devaluing the Naira. Over the following 37 years of continuous devaluation, things only worsened, and the suffering of the masses kept increasing. The score? 1–0 against the experts.

Then came our President Tinubu. He also followed what experts had been preaching for over a decade: “Let the market determine the value of the Naira.” He implemented exactly what they advised, saying he would “free the Naira.” As soon as the Naira was released, it went on a free fall from 500/$ to 1,800/$, before being reined in with great difficulty. The score? 2–0.

Next, experts said the fuel subsidy only benefits the rich, not the common man. We “ignorant” folks argued that removing the subsidy would plunge ordinary citizens into hardship. And now, here we are—the masses have been completely overwhelmed by unbearable suffering. The score? 3–0.

Now, these same experts are claiming that doubling VAT in the new tax law won’t affect the common man because VAT is only applied to goods not used by the poor. We argue otherwise, pleading, “Don’t increase it.” Once again, we’ve been branded as ignorant. But let’s not make it 4–0.

Experts have a track record of steering governments into ditches. Just last week in Ghana, the masses, frustrated by suffering, punished the ruling party at the polls. Rim!

We just hope these experts don’t lead our Tinubu astray and abandon him. It would be better if he listened to us, the so-called ignorant.

Aliyu U. Tilde

14 December 2024