At the heart of the concerns of Nigerian citizens is a deep unease over the economic and social challenges that beset them on a daily basis. While the Federal Government is expressing its joy over the ongoing cabinet reshuffle, civil society is raising crucial questions on the urgency of concrete solutions to address the distress that is taking hold in the country.
Civil society organizations have called on President Bola Tinubu to address the harsh reality faced by Nigerians. Indeed, the current crisis in the oil sector, the depreciation of the naira, soaring food prices, growing insecurity and increasing poverty demand an immediate response, as the tensions they generate are becoming worrisome for the entire nation.
It is undeniable that the ongoing cabinet reshuffle is failing to capture the attention of citizens, particularly because of the critical challenges that persist. Indeed, the alleged removal of the oil subsidy, supposed to alleviate the fiscal crisis, remains contested by the population who are losing confidence in an opaque and non-transparent management of resources. Similarly, the vague identity of the NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) increases the perplexity of citizens as to its public or private nature.
The criticisms raised by civil society organizations highlight the fact that the simple reorganization of the government will not be enough to solve the fundamental challenges facing Nigerians. Beyond the change of people, it is a change of policies and impact-oriented governance that are called for. The growing economic difficulties, symbolized by the exorbitant cost of a bag of rice now reaching 100,000 naira, reveal the urgency of concrete measures to relieve the suffering population.
Thus, the next step of the government must be oriented towards the establishment of a competent ministerial team, capable of effectively managing crises and establishing transparent communication with the public. The goal is not just to find the right people for the job, but more importantly to ensure that these ministers are able to meet the complex demands of their responsibilities.
It is imperative that the President demonstrates his commitment to open governance, where ministers’ performance results are shared publicly. The new ministers can then embody a potential for transformation, provided that they demonstrate their effectiveness over the coming months, focusing on clearly defined key performance indicators.
The President’s responsibility is therefore to ensure that his ministerial team lives up to the missions entrusted to them, with a concern for constant improvement and accountability to the population. Because beyond speeches, it is concrete actions that will build confidence and hope for a better future for all Nigerians.