In a recent interview, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar articulated several key actions he would have taken differently if he were the President of Nigeria. His insights come amidst increasing public inquiry regarding his proposed solutions for the country’s pressing challenges.
Atiku emphasized the need for enhanced economic reforms, improved security measures, and a stronger focus on education and healthcare. He remarked that these discussions are vital, especially in light of the hardships many Nigerians are facing today.
In a post shared on his X handle, Atiku highlighted that questions about what he would do differently often distract from the pressing concerns surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s policies. He stated, “These inquiries divert attention from the pressing questions regarding what President Bola Tinubu must do to alleviate the severe hardships caused by his trial-and-error economic policies.”
In a detailed statement titled “What We Would Have Done Differently,” Atiku outlined his vision for Nigeria’s future. He emphasized that addressing corruption is paramount, specifically calling for a restructuring of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which he described as a significant beneficiary of the existing system.
Atiku criticized the current subsidy regime, stating, “Yes, I have always advocated for the removal of subsidy on PMS because its administration has been mildly put, opaque with so much scope for arbitrariness and corruption.” He added that the oil subsidy has allowed substantial profits to be siphoned off to influential individuals in both public and private sectors.
He proposed a focused approach to Nigeria’s inadequate refining infrastructure, noting, “We are by far the most inefficient OPEC member country in terms of both the percentage of installed refining capacity that works and the percentage of crude refined.” Atiku argued for the privatization of state-owned refineries to increase domestic oil refining capabilities.
Atiku’s plan also included a gradual approach to implementing subsidy reforms. He explained, “Subsidies would not have been removed suddenly and completely,” referencing his previous experience as Vice President when a phased reform strategy was employed.
He pointed out that many countries successfully manage subsidy reforms through gradual adjustments, citing examples from Malaysia and Indonesia. “The gradualist approach allows for adjustments and minimizes disruptions,” he emphasized, reinforcing the importance of carefully phased implementation.
In addition to economic reforms, Atiku proposed a robust social protection program aimed at assisting the poorest citizens. He expressed a commitment to using the savings from subsidy withdrawals to bolster infrastructure and enhance services in education and healthcare.
“We would’ve invested the savings to strengthen the productive base of the economy through infrastructure maintenance and development,” he stated. His plan also includes improving rural infrastructure and expanding agricultural livelihoods.
Atiku underscored the need for skill development and entrepreneurial training for youth, saying, “We would’ve focused on developing the skills and entrepreneurial capacity of our youth to enhance their access to better economic opportunities.”
