Peter Obi Offers 11 Key Pieces of Advice to President Tinubu in His 2025 New Year Address
Fellow Nigerians, Happy New Year! As we embark on 2025, it is essential for me to address you, not just as a concerned citizen but as someone deeply invested in our country’s future.
Despite claims from the government about improvements in various sectors, it is clear that our national challenges—economic, political, and security-related—are worsening by the day.
The situation in Nigeria is deteriorating. Our nation’s progress seems to be in reverse, with several troubling indicators pointing to a decline in our national fortunes:
The State of Our Nation
1. Poverty Crisis: Nigeria continues to grapple with extreme poverty. Over 100 million Nigerians are living in severe poverty, while more than 150 million face multidimensional poverty. In the past 18 months under the current administration, these numbers have worsened drastically.
2. Economic Decline: Our economy, once the largest in Africa, is shrinking. In 2014, Nigeria’s GDP stood at $574 billion with a per capita income exceeding $3,500. Today, that GDP has dropped to about $200 billion, and per capita income is barely $1,000. We have slipped from being the continent’s economic leader to now ranking fourth.
3. Security Woes: Nigeria remains one of the least peaceful countries globally. The Global Peace Index ranks us 143rd out of 163 nations, signaling a state of constant unrest. Many Nigerians have been displaced from their homes, living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the country.
4. Food Insecurity: Hunger has become a national crisis. With the new minimum wage of N70,000, many Nigerians cannot even afford basic staples like rice or beans. The situation is dire for low-income earners and the unemployed. Nigeria’s Global Hunger Index ranking for 2024 is 110th out of 127 countries, highlighting a severe food crisis.
5. Electricity Shortages: We are facing one of the worst power crises in our history. Power generation and distribution remain dismal, and the national grid collapsed 12 times in just one year. This energy deficit has stunted our development, leaving Nigerians reliant on costly generators.
6. Corruption and Mismanagement: Corruption, fiscal mismanagement, and the rise of nepotism have reached alarming levels. This is compounded by the erosion of the rule of law and disregard for due process, which further undermines our national progress.
7. Rising National Debt: Nigeria’s national debt has surged from N15 trillion in 2015 to an alarming N100 trillion today, with little to show for these borrowings in terms of tangible infrastructure or growth.
8. Inflation and Unemployment: Inflation is skyrocketing, businesses are folding, and unemployment remains high. Manufacturing companies are struggling to survive, contributing to the worsening economic conditions.
9. Flawed Electoral Process: Our electoral system is deeply flawed, with credibility and transparency concerns undermining the very foundation of democracy. The people’s votes are often disregarded, and elections have become less genuine over time.
Proposals for National Recovery
To address these challenges, Nigeria urgently needs leadership that is both selfless and visionary. While leadership is needed at all levels of government, the responsibility starts with the President. I appeal to President Tinubu to act decisively and with urgency. In line with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, “We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”
As we face these pressing issues, here are 11 suggestions for moving forward:
1. Address the IDP Crisis: Many Nigerians are forced to live as refugees within their own country. It’s time for the President to visit these IDP camps, reassure citizens that peace will be restored, and that they will soon return to their homes.
2. Engage with All Regions: As President, it’s crucial to visit different parts of Nigeria, especially regions suffering from insecurity. Rather than spending all holidays in the comfort of the southwest, I suggest taking time to visit states like Adamawa, Sokoto, Jos, Yenagoa, and Abakaliki.
3. Ensure Electoral Integrity: The credibility of our electoral system is a major challenge. It is essential for the President to ensure that future elections reflect the true will of the people, with transparent processes that Nigerians can trust.
4. Engage Directly with the People: Nigerians are yearning for direct communication from their President. Regular updates from the President, not through proxies, are vital to keep citizens informed on the progress of government efforts.
5. Restore Peace Across the Nation: The primary responsibility of leadership is to restore peace and ensure the safety of citizens. This must be a top priority.
6. Strengthen the Economy: Tackling inflation, boosting local industries, and creating jobs should be a central focus of the administration to reverse the economic decline.
7. Improve Access to Basic Services: Addressing electricity shortages, healthcare, and education should be immediate priorities for sustainable national growth.
8. Fight Corruption Head-On: Corruption continues to drain the country of its resources. Strong measures must be taken to curb this and ensure that public funds are used for the betterment of the nation.
9. Tackle Food Insecurity: Immediate action is needed to improve agricultural productivity and ensure that food is accessible and affordable to every Nigerian.
10. Promote Unity: As a country, we need leadership that fosters unity across ethnic and religious lines. Divisive rhetoric must give way to actions that promote national cohesion.
11. Invest in Infrastructure: A well-planned approach to infrastructure development can create jobs, boost the economy, and improve quality of life for Nigerians.
Conclusion
The challenges facing Nigeria are immense, but they are not insurmountable. If we act with urgency and dedication, we can turn the tide. I urge President Tinubu to consider these suggestions and work towards restoring Nigeria to its rightful place of peace, prosperity, and unity.
May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
