As President Bola Tinubu’s administration approaches one year on May 29, 2024, Nigeria reflects on the progress made towards fulfilling his campaign promises for a brighter future for citizens.
The promises revolve around the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ a comprehensive 8-point plan to tackle poverty in Nigeria through sustainable development and improved living standards. The eight focus areas are food security, poverty alleviation, economic growth, job creation and access to capital, inclusivity, the rule of law, and the fight against corruption.
President Tinubu removed the subsidy on petrol upon assumption of office, redirecting resources to critical areas like healthcare, education, infrastructure, and humanitarian efforts to promote effective allocation and curb wastage. The removal of fuel subsidy, which sparked initial challenges, was cushioned by the government, through a provisional wage award of N35,000 to federal workers for six months and a cash transfer of N25,000.00 monthly to 15 million of the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians for three months.
The government also set in motion the machinery to provide compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and tricycles worth N100 billion to ease the transportation fare hike caused by the subsidy removal. It is expected that the CNG buses, when launched, will go a long way in lifting the burden on Nigerians caused by the withdrawal of subsidy on petrol.
President Tinubu’s administration, keen on ensuring food security, a major point in its eight-point agenda, has rolled out immediate intervention programmes such as the disbursement fertilizers and grains to Nigerian farmers.
Nigeria’s 2024 budget, under President Tinubu’s leadership, allocates 362.94 billion Naira to agriculture, marking a significant increase from the 2023 allocation of 228.4 billion Naira to the sector. This boost signals a notable shift in priority towards agriculture, with its budget share growing from 0.10% to 1.32%.
Under the Tinubu administration, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Water Resources also partnered to ensure adequate irrigation of farmlands during the dry season, facilitating year-round food production and reducing defendant on rain-fed farming.
The Tinubu administration is also taking deliberate steps to tackle the clashes between farmers and herdsmen, which have had debilitating effects on food security and revenue generation from the agricultural sector as the President announced plans for a lasting solution to the problem that would take cognizance of the role of farmers and herders in Nigeria’s economy.
With policies and programmes introduced to drive economic growth, there is growing optimism in the decisions taken by President Tinubu’s administration that raised the ratings by the Global credit rating agency, Fitch, upgrading Nigeria’s credit outlook to positive. This move reflects their increased confidence in the strength of the Nigerian economy and its ability to attract more investments.
The Tinubu administration prioritizes the rule of law with the support of the National Justice Reform Policy to promote judicial reform and access to justice. This was followed by the establishment of the Presidential Committee on Judicial System Reform to advance judicial reform and independence of the judiciary.
The National Anti-Corruption Policy prioritizes transparency and accountability and the enforcement of the National Whistleblower Policy to encourage reporting corrupt practices and the protection of whistleblowers by President Tinubu administration policies implementation.
For President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda to meet its goals, the administration must demonstrate sustained political will, enhance governance structures, and foster inclusive citizen engagement. Effective policy implementation requires coherence and harmonization across ministries, departments, and agencies, leveraging technology and innovation to promote transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery to the people.
Constructive opposition and political dialogue are also crucial for building consensus and support for reforms. Regular monitoring and evaluation are essential to address emerging challenges and opportunities to ensure the successful translation of campaign promises into tangible governance achievements.
As the years go by in President Tinubu’s administration, it is hoped that more gains of the policies and programmes being implemented would be achieved and Nigerians benefit.
The positive impact of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in Nigeria must be made to work and serve as a model for other African nations genuinely interested in the accelerated development of their peoples and the continent.
