On Tuesday, October 1, President Bola Tinubu addressed the nation in a broadcast commemorating Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary. This occasion, which traditionally serves to reflect on the nation’s progress and challenges, also provided a platform for the president to highlight his administration’s achievements. However, many of the assertions made during the address have been met with skepticism and criticism, as they appeared to exaggerate the administration’s accomplishments while glossing over pressing issues facing the country.
One of the central themes of President Tinubu’s address was the state of the economy. He claimed that the economy is undergoing the necessary reforms and retooling to serve us better and more sustainably. Under his leadership, the country attracted over $30 billion in foreign direct investments in the last year.
He went on to further claim that his administration has paid a $7 billion forex backlog and cleared over N30 trillion ways and means debt.
While it is true that there have been efforts to attract foreign investment, independent reports indicate that the multi-billion dollar investments are in view, the money is not even yet invested in Nigeria. The reality is the economic landscape remains fraught with challenges. High inflation rates, persistent unemployment, and widespread poverty continue to plague the nation. Economic experts have expressed concerns about Nigeria’s economic recovery, which contradicts the optimistic picture painted by the president.
On Tinubu’s assertion that the government has cleared the N30 trillion ways and means debt, observers insist that it’s an outright bare-faced lie. Analyzing the issue, Opatola Victor, a lawyer who claimed to handled the lawsuit against the Federal Government, CBN, Debt Management Office, Ministry of Finance and others asking the court to declare the accumulated ways and means and securitization as illegal, noted on a post in X (former Twitter) that: “… I know as a matter of fact that this Government never for once cleared that debt.” He expressed his dismay that President Tinubu would come out to say that his government has cleared ways and means of debt.
He clarified further, “It (the government) only securitised that debt, and by so doing converted trillions of Naira worth of Federal Government debt to Nigeria’s debt.
“This means a debt that the federal government was supposed to pay, a debt that the national assembly elected by the people never approved it borrowing, a debt that the National Assembly couldn’t even determine how it was spent, a debt that the Nigeria people couldn’t manage or determine how it was spent; it is such debt that has now been converted into a public debt that Nigeria and Nigerians must pay.” So the N30 trillion that President Tinubu mentioned in his Independence Day speech that it cleared, was most likely not true. It was perhaps an intentional technical language used to hoodwink Nigerians into believing that a N30 trillion debt was actually cleared.
Tinubu’s assertion his administration is committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians cannot be justified as the economic situation is further complicated by his controversial policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and devaluation of the Naira. It has resulted in increased living costs for millions of Nigerians, leading to widespread discontent. Critics argue that the president’s claims fail to acknowledge the negative impact these policies have had on ordinary citizens.
Security is another crucial issue in Nigeria, with various regions grappling with violence from insurgents, bandits, and communal clashes. In his broadcast, President Tinubu claimed that his administration has made significant strides in improving national security. He highlighted the deployment of military personnel to troubled regions and the establishment of new security frameworks. He declared that within one year, the government has ‘eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders, over 300, faster than ever, and has restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North’.
However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Reports indicate that attacks by Boko Haram and other militant groups have not diminished; in fact, many areas remain under constant threat. The president’s narrative of progress in security appears to downplay the fears and grievances of citizens living in vulnerable regions. The disconnect between the government’s claims and the populace’s experiences raises questions about the effectiveness of security strategies under Tinubu’s administration.
President Tinubu’s address also touched on social welfare programs, with claims of increased social spending and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians and measures to reduce the cost of living.
He mentioned efforts to enhance food security and agriculture with the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved establishing a local assembly plant for 2000 John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc riders, bottom ploughs and other farm equipment with a completion time of six months. In addition, the president also asserted that his administration is expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players and implementing of 3 million Technical Talents programme (3MTT), aimed at building Nigeria’s technical talent backbone; implementation of Nigerian Loan Fund (NELFUND); and launching of the Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) aimed at facilitating the creation of 2.5 million jobs. However, various reports indicate that many of these programs have either been poorly implemented or are only a mirage.
Tinubu’s assertions on some issues seem disconnected from the realities faced by citizens across the country. The president’s claims must be critically examined against the backdrop of persistent poverty and inadequate public services.
In a democratic society, citizens must be able to question and scrutinize the narratives presented by their leaders. The disconnect between the government’s claims and the lived experiences of the populace necessitates an informed and engaged citizenry that demands transparency and accountability.
President Bola Tinubu’s 64th Independence Anniversary broadcast was an opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s journey and the path forward. However, the numerous false claims and exaggerations present in his speech highlight a concerning trend of disconnection between government narratives and the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
As the nation continues to grapple with economic, security, and governance challenges, genuine leadership requires a commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to the needs of the people. For Nigeria to truly progress, it is imperative that its leaders engage with the truth, acknowledge the challenges, and work collaboratively with citizens to forge a better future.
