EDITORIAL – Nigeria on the Brink: A Nation Demanding Direction
EDITORIAL
Nigeria on the Brink: A Nation Demanding Direction
By Engr. Hf Dauda MoiSoro
April 20, 2024
Nigeria is groaning under the weight of hardship, insecurity, and economic turmoil. At the center of this unfolding crisis is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—arguably the most prepared and intellectually equipped civilian leader we’ve ever had. But even the best of captains must adjust the sails in stormy weather.
The President inherited a broken system, yes—but now he owns the task of fixing it. The Nigerian people, especially the poor and middle class, are no longer asking politely. They are demanding results. And fast.
A quick look back shows how steep the fall has been:
In 1980, a civil servant on Grade Level 06 earned ₦160 (about $256 then). Today, the same worker earns ₦100,000—roughly $100. A dignified wage should be at least ₦250,000 in today’s economy. Instead, purchasing power has collapsed by 60%, and those in power appear willfully deaf.
We’re facing a convergence of crises:
Corruption still strangles our institutions.
Security is a national mirage—from insurgency in the Northeast to criminality and separatism across regions.
Fuel subsidy confusion has triggered inflation, while the currency float has sunk the Naira.
The common citizen is watching—and waiting. Not for handouts, but for honesty, competence, and decisive leadership. Sadly, what many see instead is a President surrounded by flatterers. Sycophants who tell him all is well while mothers wail in hunger and youths burn with frustration.
The President must reject this choir of deception. History is full of leaders who became victims of praise. He must not be one of them.
Some places show us what is possible: Lagos, Kaduna, Borno, Abia—they offer glimmers of hope in the darkness. But those must become the rule, not the exception. And yes—Kogi State must not be allowed to remain a case study in impunity. Silence from the presidency is complicity.
Let us be clear:
The subsidy removal was poorly executed. It is morphing into an economic disaster for millions. And the reintroduction, shrouded in ambiguity, is adding insult to injury. This administration must own its missteps, correct them swiftly, and remain accountable to the people.
We also owe our elderly dignity. A nation that cannot guarantee survival after retirement is building a future of fear.
Nigeria stands at a dangerous crossroads. It is delusional for any leader to assume business-as-usual can continue. Policies must be people-centered. Leadership must be bold. And citizens must remain loud in their demand for change.
This is not just about Tinubu. It is about us all. If we fail
now, we may not get another chance.
