According to the report from the Sun, Economic and financial experts have outlined immediate actions the Bola Tinubu administration should take to address the ongoing nationwide protests. In discussions with Saturday Sun, they suggested measures such as subsidizing food costs, reducing governance expenses, and ensuring transparency in the distribution of palliatives....CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.>>
The protests, which began on Thursday over rising living costs and hunger, have escalated into violence, property destruction, and loss of life across the country.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Economist Aliyu Ilias urged President Bola Tinubu to address the nation with a clear one-year plan, suggesting the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to reduce transportation costs if fuel subsidies cannot be restored. Ilias also recommended a cabinet reshuffle, including a new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, and called for state governors to transparently account for federal funds.
Prof. Femi Saibu of the University of Lagos criticized the government’s management of aid, highlighting that resources often fail to reach those in need due to diversion by political intermediaries. He argued that investing in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture would be more effective than cash transfers in combating poverty.
Economic Consultant Brume Nikoro advised reducing government waste and supporting small-scale industries and startups with interest-free loans. He also recommended boosting agriculture and technology sectors through targeted programs.
Lawyer and rights activist Kabiru Akingboolu urged the police to handle protests more civilly and emphasized the need for the government to take concrete actions to address economic challenges and prevent unrest. He recommended substantial investment in agriculture to boost food production and cautioned against the risk of protests escalating, similar to the #EndSARS movement.
Maduka Onwukeme, another rights activist, echoed the need for the government to address the core issues of hunger and inflation. He argued that effective measures to tackle these problems are crucial for reducing unrest and bringing many genuine protesters off the streets.
Northern elders, including Prof. Usman Yusuf, Hajia Najatu Muhammad, Mallam Salihu Lukman, and Dr. Umar Ardo, urged the government to engage directly with youth leaders and protesters to understand their grievances. They recommended implementing meaningful reforms, investing in youth development, education, and entrepreneurship, and improving transparency and accountability in governance.
Political and economic analyst Mustapha Hussain Olarewaju criticized the government’s management of fuel subsidies and inflation, noting that petrol prices remain high despite subsidy removal. He advocated for stabilizing fuel prices and increasing government spending to boost economic activity, rather than relying on high interest rates, which he believes do not address the root causes of inflation.
