Nigerian governors have been urged to embrace reforms that will boost the country’s internally generated revenue.
The Director General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, gave the charge at the opening ceremony of a three day induction programme for re-elected and elected governors organised by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
Speaking further on the theme, “Task of Nation Building,” she urged the governors to imbibe best practices that would help deliver on their campaign promises to the electorate.
“Nigeria’s gross debt level has climbed from N19.3 trillion in 2015 to $N91.6 trillion in 2023. The debt-to-GDP ratio has almost doubled from 20 percent to 39 percent over that time period,” she said.
She stated that while the Debt-to-Gross Domestic product, GDP, ratio may not look alarming and revenues decline, the burden of debt servicing has increased dramatically.
“The debt service to revenue ratio is certainly alarming, at 83.2 per cent in 2021 and 96.3 per cent in 2022, according to the World Bank. This means that at the federal level, after servicing our debt there is little room to pay for recurrent expenditures, let alone investment,” she explained.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, advised the 36 governors of the federation to be mindful and monitor their debt profiles by keeping control of expenditures.
“Even as you invest in infrastructure, education and basic health systems, Please endeavour to pay teachers, health workers and others their salaries, including retirees’ pensions.
Economic Growth
On economic issues in the country, she stressed that “the International Monetary Fund projects 3.2 percent Gross Domestic Product growth this year and 3 percent next year – slightly better than global growth but underperforming the projected growth rates for sub-Saharan Africa as a whole, which are at 3.6 per cent and 4.2 per cent respectively.”
She disclosed that the current GDP growth rates are higher than the very low 1.2 percent average annual growth rate registered between 2015 and 2019, the five years before the pandemic, but well below the 6.4 percent average for the preceding five-year period, from 2010 to 2014.
“In our country, given its size, diversity, and economic development challenges, the scale of the task of nation-building is particularly large.
“As you take office or return to your governorships, our 222 million compatriots will be counting on you to rise to the occasion. The states are closest to the people: what you do- or don’t do – directly impacts people across the country.”
Relying on World Bank estimates, Okonjo-Iweala noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have pushed as many as 90 million more people into extreme poverty – most of them in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
“In this uncertain global context, Nigeria has to work much harder to avoid falling even further behind.
“Dear governors, I remain convinced that a better future is within our collective grasp. But to move ahead and seize it, we will need political and business leaders at the state and national levels to form a compact in pursuit of pro-growth and pro-development policies.
“Nigeria is a country with no social contract, meaning that Nigerian political leaders have never been able to agree with each other to stick to a common set of principles, values, and policies that consistently deliver for their citizens regardless of ethnic group or political persuasion.
“You have a lot of healing to do – within your States and the citizens.”
She emphasised that through words, deeds, and policies, the governors need to demonstrate to Nigerians that they are equally loved. That they can settle and do business in any part of the country without fear.
Food Security
On food security, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala disclosed that:
“Food insecurity is also on the rise, saying A government-led, UN-supported analysis earlier this year warned that the number of Nigerians at risk of facing hunger could rise from 17 million to nearly 25 million in the lean season between June and August.
“The question for you governors and for Nigeria is: How is the country gearing up to attract businesses that want to diversify their supply chains following the shock experienced by the world during the pandemic of over concentration of supply chains in sectors like pharmaceuticals, semi-conductors etc.
“While we sit inactive, South Africa, Rwanda, Senegal and Ghana are grabbing this opportunity. They are getting investments and will produce and sell to us if your Excellencies do not act,” she cautioned.
Okonjo-Iweala also tasked the governors to take advantage of the digital economy to create jobs and wealth for the people.
Entrepreneurship
Speaking earlier, Nigerian Economist, Tony Elumelu who spoke on “Entrepreneurship, youth engagement, and wealth creation,” said there is more to achieve if the governors focus on empowering the youths.
“Our country has a population of about 220 million – the largest in Africa and the great majority are young people.
“Each governor will govern a state with different dynamics, different population density, different composition of ethnolinguistic groups, different natural resource endowments, different levels of economic activity and different rural and urban dynamics”
“But there is one constant! You will all govern states where there will be majorities of young people- Nigerians below the age of 35.
What does that mean? We know politics sees many interest groups and stakeholders, competing, jostling – but your success will mean prioritising the largest stakeholder group in your States and the youth.
” I urge you all to prioritise youth engagement; it is the sure means to create the most impact and catalyse socio-economic development and growth – for your respective States and Nigeria at large,” he added.
