Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been vocal about his concerns regarding President Bola Tinubu’s administration, specifically questioning the government’s preparedness upon taking office. Obasanjo’s criticism highlights the importance of a well-structured plan in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
Some of the key areas Obasanjo has criticized include the removal of fuel subsidies, which has led to increased transportation costs and hardships for ordinary Nigerians. The subsidy removal pushed transport costs to over 300%, with petrol prices averaging N660 per liter, up from N195 before May 29, 2023.
In response to these challenges, President Tinubu’s administration has initiated some policy responses, including:
- Rollout of CNG Buses: To address transportation challenges, the government plans to deploy Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses.
- Anti-Corruption War: The administration aims to tackle corruption, particularly in the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), where a reported diversion of over N44 billion has occurred.
- Ministerial Performance Bond: To enhance accountability, President Tinubu has signed performance bonds with ministers and heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
- Minimum Wage Implementation: The government plans to implement a new national minimum wage, expected to take effect in April 2024.
These policies demonstrate the administration’s efforts to address the country’s challenges, but Obasanjo’s criticism underscores the need for a comprehensive plan to drive meaningful progress in Nigeria.