Tinubu grappling with economy, security challenges in 2 years –CISLAC, ActionAid

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) have said despite the federal government listing the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, it was not a reflection of the reality as it affects the citizens.

This is contained in separate statements by CISLAC Executive Director, Mallam Auwal Musa Rafsanjani; and the Country Director of AAN, Mr Andrew Mamedu on Thursday in Abuja.

Rafsanjani in a comprehensive mid-term assessment of President Tinubu’s administration, which also represented the position of Nigerian chapter of Transparency International (TI), highlighted both progress and persistent challenges across Nigeria’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

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He noted that Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and unification of exchange rates, have won praise from international financial institutions, but that ordinary Nigerians are struggling with soaring inflation, stagnant real wages, and increased poverty.

The report said the administration is grappling with economic transformation and security management while facing increasing public dissatisfaction and democratic erosion in the last two years.

“Economically, the Tinubu administration has pursued bold reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and unification of exchange rates, which have won praise from international financial institutions. Nigeria’s foreign reserves have risen to over $37 billion, and foreign investment is tentatively returning.

“Yet for ordinary Nigerians, the harsh realities of these reforms have manifested in soaring inflation surpassing 33 percent, a doubling of food prices, and stagnant real wages. The absence of a comprehensive social safety net has exacerbated poverty and deepened the crisis of survival, exposing a dissonance between macroeconomic recovery indicators and everyday hardships experienced by the populace. This economic strain has contributed to widening inequality and heightened public discontent,” Rafsanjani said.

He said the government’s handling of civil liberties has drawn sharp criticism, with the Tinubu administration’s response to increasing dissent being heavy-handed, with crackdowns on protesters, including minors, and restrictions on peaceful assembly becoming commonplace.

He said despite constitutional protections for freedom of expression and assembly, the narrowing civic space signals a troubling drift toward authoritarianism with security concerns being frequently cited as justification for repression, warning that this growing securitisation of governance risks undermining fundamental democratic rights and weakening the nation’s social fabric.

The CISLAC boss also said security remains one of the administration’s most daunting challenges, stressing that despite expanded defence budgets and the creation of new security outfits like the Forest Security Service, violence persists across key regions, including Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau, and parts of the South East.

He said, “Kidnapping, killings, and clashes have not abated, underscoring the limited impact of military deployments unsupported by effective intelligence reform. CISLAC advocates for a paradigm shift toward integrated security approaches emphasising inter-agency collaboration, community policing, transparent procurement, and rebuilding public trust in law enforcement, which remain crucial for long-term peace and stability.”

On anti-corruption efforts, he said government has maintained some institutional mechanisms like project tracking and procurement monitoring, including the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) which monitored over 1,700 projects with some fund recoveries reported.

He said, “However, the campaign is marred by selective enforcement, notably the failure to prosecute high-profile figures such as former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello and the frequent defections of opposition politicians into the ruling party to avoid prosecution.

“This pattern has undermined the integrity of the anti-corruption drive and fed public cynicism about equal application of justice. CISLAC describes the campaign as weakened by double standards and stresses that impartiality is essential for meaningful progress.”

Rafsanjani said the administration’s appointment pattern has also attracted criticism for lack of inclusivity and failure to uphold the federal character principle, as key positions have been filled with apparent regional bias, sidelining women and other marginalised groups.

He said, “While competence is essential, appointments that disregard Nigeria’s ethnic, religious, gender, and generational diversity threaten national cohesion and unity, undermining the government’s broader stability agenda.”

He said the next two years present a critical window for Nigeria to recalibrate its governance trajectory and that only through strengthened democratic institutions, transparency, and inclusion can the administration restore public trust and deliver on the promise of a prosperous and unified Nigeria.

In a separate statement, the AAN boss, Mamedu urged a renewed commitment to governance that prioritises the needs and voices of ordinary citizens.

He said while some economic reforms and policy efforts have been initiated at the national level, the true measure of progress lies in how these actions impact the daily lives of Nigerians beyond policy announcements, media headlines, or online narratives.

“In the last two years, Nigeria has experienced both gains and challenges across different sectors of the economy. However, critical issues persist, including growing poverty, increasing inequality, underinvestment in education, persistent gender disparity in political representation, sexual and gender-based violence, and a shrinking civic space that stifles citizen engagement.

“The administration’s appointments also reflect this lack of inclusivity, only about 10% of ministers are women, far below the African Union’s 35% gender parity benchmark. Furthermore, regional imbalance in appointments has triggered discontent, deepening feelings of marginalisation among some groups,” Mamedu said.

He said it is high time for the President to prioritise development over politics and must also shift focus from headline economic figures to tangible improvements in people’s lives.

“While paying off parts of our national debt is commendable, it is difficult to reconcile with the government’s continued accumulation of multi-million-dollar loans. How is any of this easing the daily struggles of the market woman, the out-of-school child, or the unemployed youth in reality?

“Nigerians are calling for a clear and resolute stance from President Tinubu in the fight against corruption. High-profile cases like that of Betta Edu, accused of misappropriating social investment funds intended for vulnerable citizens, have sparked widespread outrage, yet no convictions or meaningful resolutions have emerged.

“Likewise, prolonged cases involving former EFCC chair Ibrahim Magu and ex-pension boss Abdulrasheed Maina remain unresolved, deepening public distrust in the fight against corruption, due to perceptions of selective enforcement and delays. Without a genuine, transparent, and sustained anti-corruption campaign led by the President, efforts to enhance governance and drive development will continue to fall short,” he said.

He said with Nigeria’s budget at a historic high, the increasing reliance on borrowing poses long-term risks, and that instead of piling on debt, the government should explore sustainable alternatives, including curbing budget padding, cut the cost of governance, and embrace transparency and accountability, which would not only improve fiscal stability but also restore public trust.