- Former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed concern over Nigeria’s stagnant growth and development.
- Obasanjo criticized Nigeria’s lack of effective policy implementation.
- He emphasized the importance of taking deliberate actions rather than making empty promises.
- Obasanjo highlighted the need to focus on achievable goals.
- He reflected on his administration’s accomplishments, including establishing NASRDA and training Nigerian engineers.
- Nigeria has undertaken major reforms to restore macroeconomic stability since May 2023.
- Reforms include market-based pricing of gasoline and FX policy reforms.
- Efforts aim to reduce debt risks, create space for development and pro-poor spending, and protect vulnerable populations.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently expressed his concerns about Nigeria’s stagnant growth and development, emphasizing that the country is falling short of its potential. Speaking at the 8th Brigadier General Michael Agu annual lecture and awards ceremony, Obasanjo criticized Nigeria’s lack of effective policy implementation. He stressed that having policies and making statements isn’t enough; leaders must take deliberate actions to drive progress.
Obasanjo highlighted the importance of focusing on achievable goals, rather than spreading resources too thin. “We cannot be a jack of all trades and master of none,” he said. He also reflected on his administration’s accomplishments, such as establishing the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and training over 100 Nigerian engineers in China.
It’s worth noting that Nigeria has been working to address its economic challenges. The World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update reports that the country has undertaken major reforms to restore macroeconomic stability since May 2023, including moving towards market-based pricing of gasoline and implementing FX policy reforms . These efforts aim to reduce debt risks, create space for development and pro-poor spending, and protect the poor and economically insecure.
