Conducts it’s 54th meeting on the state of the Nation
The Board of Directors of ActionAid Nigeria, a social justice non-governmental organisation working to eradicate poverty and all forms of injustice in Nigeria, has held its 54th meeting, for an in-depth review of the state of the nation, identifying and addressing several critical issues currently impacting Nigeria.
The Board recognized that the nation is navigating one of the most turbulent periods in its recent history.
In a statement signed by Rabi Isma, Board Chairperson, ActionAid Nigeria, it was revealed, that between September and November 2024, several significant events have exposed the growing challenges facing the country, including another controversial off-cycle election in Edo, Ondo, and Akwa Ibom states, persistent security concerns, the recurrent collapse of the national grid, and the recent contentious cabinet reshuffle by the President.
According to the statement, the nation has also witnessed troubling developments, such as the Federal Government’s arraignment of underage protesters, who faced treason charges before being released after a nationwide outcry, and the military’s declaration of the #EndBadGovernance protests as a new security threat.
And other key issues the Board of Directors discussed included the potentially inclusive tax reform bill, the commendable launch of local government autonomy in November and its potential impact on grassroots development, and the continued inflation and ongoing rise in fuel prices.
ActionAid Nigeria’s Board of Directors therefore recommended that: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) restores electoral integrity by addressing the lapses to ensure the credibility of future elections.
“This is non-negotiable for the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.”
“With the inflation rate currently sitting at 34.6%, the Board of Directors reiterates that President Tinubu must urgently reverse all regressive economic policies, including the ongoing fuel price hikes, which have exacerbated inflation and crippled the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians.
“We call for an immediate and comprehensive plan within the next six months to reduce the cost of living, stabilise essential commodity prices, and address food insecurity through targeted interventions.
“In parallel, the government must overhaul and ensure the effective implementation of its social protection programmes to reach vulnerable populations more efficiently, with a focus on improving delivery and increasing coverage by at least 50% by the end of Q1 2025.
The emergence of Dangote Refinery as a key player in Nigeria’s fuel supply presents both opportunities and risks, particularly the threat of a monopoly that could harm affordability, access, and national security.
“To address this, we strongly advise that the federal government must prioritise repairing and revitalising public refineries to reduce reliance on a single supplier, to ensure national refining capacity and economic sovereignty.
“The Nigerian government must immediately halt the criminalization of peaceful protests and free expression. The unlawful detention of protesters, including minors, under treason charges was a blatant violation of democratic rights.
“While the minors have been released, ActionAid Nigeria calls for the unconditional release of all protesters and demands a guarantee that no Nigerian will face punishment for exercising their constitutional rights.
“The current administration’s suppressive and intolerant approach cannot coexist with worsening economic hardship without inevitably sparking citizen reactions. Hence, the federal government must cease its crackdown on young Nigerians advocating for accountability and instead create a safe space for civic participation.
“Worthy of mention is the urgent need for targeted training for security and judicial officers within the Nigerian Police Force and Judiciary on the child’s right act.
“ActionAid Nigeria condemns the inaction and negligence that have allowed groups like Lakurawa to gain a foothold. Security agencies must take decisive and coordinated action to safeguard citizens against unscrupulous elements and armed groups. Anything less constitutes an abdication of security agencies constitutional duty to ensure a safe environment.
“The Federal Government must urgently address Nigeria’s chronic energy crisis, worsened by repeated national grid collapses, including recent failures that left regions in darkness for weeks.
“The government must modernize and overhaul the power infrastructure, with the Honourable Minister of Power taking full accountability for the Ministry’s inefficiency.
“Resources should be allocated to a comprehensive, sustainable energy strategy focused on infrastructure upgrades and preventing future grid failures. The government must also leverage the Electricity Act of 2023 to implement decentralized, renewable energy solutions, especially in underserved regions. This crisis must be treated as an emergency, as its failure undermines economic stability and deepens poverty.
“While we applaud the launch of local government autonomy, the federal government must immediately enforce full transparency and accountability in the management of local government funds. Following the recent Supreme Court ruling, it is crucial that all local councils operate with complete accountability to their communities.
Revealing further, that ActionAid Nigeria remains committed to collaborating with social movements to monitor the use of these funds. The government must establish a clear framework for the transparent allocation and expenditure of these resources, and conduct independent audits of all local government finances within the next 12 months.
The Board of Directors noted that the recent cabinet reshuffle, while a step forward, will be meaningless if it does not lead to significant changes in policies and actions that directly address the hardships facing everyday Nigerians.
Stating, that Public feedback indicates that inflation, unemployment, and food insecurity are among the most urgent issues, and these require bold, immediate action.
“ActionAid Nigeria demands that the government implement a national strategy that addresses these systemic challenges head-on, with clear, measurable outcomes within the next year.
“We joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2024 16 Days of Activism to Eliminate Gender Based Violence. A 2023 report by UN Women reveals that “one woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by their intimate partner or family member”. This shows the level of violence against women and girl in our world today with Africa bearing the highest number of deaths. The Board of Directors calls on government at all levels to implement the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act across all states and place stringent measures for perpetrators of these violence.”
