Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has challenged former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s gloomy assessment of Nigeria’s economy and democratic governance, insisting that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is taking steps to address the country’s longstanding challenges.
Barau acknowledged the concerns raised by Osinbajo but argued that the government’s efforts were not being communicated effectively to Nigerians, contributing to public dissatisfaction and the perception that little progress was being made.
The senator made the remarks during a public lecture titled “Democracy and Development: Rethinking the Leadership Question” in Yola, Adamawa State, organised to mark the 59th birthday of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.
Osinbajo, who served as vice-president from 2015 to 2023, had raised concerns about growing dissatisfaction with democratic governance across Africa, despite decades of civilian rule in several countries.
Drawing on Afrobarometer survey findings, the former vice-president highlighted economic hardship, declining confidence in democratic institutions, unemployment, rising living costs and diminishing youth participation in elections.
He noted that although 64 per cent of Africans preferred democracy to other forms of government, only 38 per cent were satisfied with how democracy was functioning in their countries.
The surveys also indicated that 59 per cent of respondents considered their national economies to be in bad shape, while 51 per cent believed their economies had deteriorated.
Osinbajo warned that persistent hardship and the inability of democratic institutions to meet citizens’ expectations could weaken public confidence in democracy, particularly among young people.
Barau: Government Efforts Are Not Being Properly Communicated
Responding to the former vice-president’s assessment, Barau described his presentation as thought-provoking and praised his intellectual ability. However, he questioned whether the gloomy picture fully reflected the government’s ongoing interventions.
The deputy senate president identified poor communication between political leaders and citizens as a major factor contributing to dissatisfaction.
He argued that governments at both federal and state levels were implementing policies and projects aimed at improving education, infrastructure and economic development, but were not doing enough to explain their impact to the public.
According to Barau, improved communication would help Nigerians understand the challenges confronting the country, the policies being introduced to address them and the progress being made.
He stressed that public engagement should be a priority for political leaders seeking to rebuild trust and improve citizens’ understanding of government programmes.
NELFUND, Major Highways Cited as Evidence of Progress
Barau pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as an example of the Tinubu administration’s efforts to expand access to education, particularly for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
He argued that educational opportunities were essential to addressing poverty, inequality and the challenges associated with Nigeria’s growing youth population.
The senator also cited major road projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Badagry-Sokoto Highway, alongside infrastructure developments in the North-East and North-West.
He maintained that investment in roads, water supply and other essential facilities was necessary to stimulate economic activity, facilitate trade and create conditions for long-term prosperity.
Barau acknowledged that these initiatives would take time to deliver their full benefits but insisted that the government was making progress.
Global Conflicts Also Contributing to Economic Hardship
Addressing the rising cost of living, the deputy senate president argued that Nigeria’s economic difficulties should also be considered within the context of international developments.
He pointed to the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East as factors disrupting global supply chains, increasing energy prices and raising production costs.
He also cited tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a major international oil transit route, as a source of volatility in global energy markets.
Barau maintained that these developments had affected economies worldwide and that Nigeria could not be completely insulated from their consequences.
However, his defence of the administration comes amid continued public concern over the cost of food, transportation and other essential goods and services.
Debate Over Democracy and Economic Reforms Continues
The exchange between Barau and Osinbajo highlights the wider debate over the relationship between economic performance and public confidence in democratic government.
While the Tinubu administration has defended its economic policies as necessary to address longstanding structural problems, Nigerians continue to demand tangible improvements in their living conditions.
Osinbajo’s concerns focused on the risk that prolonged hardship could erode trust in democratic institutions, while Barau argued that better communication, alongside ongoing government interventions, was necessary to address public dissatisfaction.
The challenge for the administration will be to demonstrate that its policies can deliver measurable improvements in living standards while ensuring that citizens are adequately informed about their objectives and results.
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