“When our administration took office, we immediately terminated the corrupt fuel subsidy system…
Our military and security forces are relentlessly combating terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings. Groups like Boko Haram/ISWAP in the North-East, IPOB/ESN in the South-East, and criminal gangs in the North-West are being systematically weakened. We honor the bravery and sacrifices of our security personnel” – President Tinubu, October 1, 2025.
In his national address, President Tinubu highlighted two critical challenges confronting Nigerians: corruption and insecurity. His focus was primarily on the entrenched corruption linked to the fuel subsidy, which his administration abolished upon assuming power in 2023. Even his harshest detractors must acknowledge the boldness it took to dismantle a system that should have been reformed decades ago. However, he conveniently omitted his earlier opposition to subsidy removal when it was first proposed by President Jonathan in 2012.
It is difficult to estimate the savings Nigeria might have realized had his political faction supported the reform earlier-a stance former Ekiti Governor Fayemi recognized as beneficial to the nation. Instead, the country endured over a decade of rampant corruption. Nonetheless, Tinubu deserves recognition for taking decisive action, albeit without adequately preparing the populace for the economic hardships that followed. Unfortunately, he neglected to address the broader spectrum of corruption that continues to stifle national progress.
Like those before him, Tinubu pledged to eradicate corruption and even claimed his government had eliminated it-a statement believed only within his inner circle.
The glaring evidence of ongoing corruption is seen in the opaque investigation into the $2.7 billion spent on reviving two refineries, which have yet to produce any fuel. In a nation where a poor individual caught stealing a tuber of yam might face a harsh five-year sentence, no influential figure has been held accountable for the mismanagement of such vast sums.
“Corruption starts at the top.”
Take, for instance, the prosecution of former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele. It is puzzling that he alone faces charges when it is common knowledge that in an institution of that size, such malfeasance cannot occur without collusion. Moreover, the findings from the Special Investigator Jim Obaze’s March 2024 report to President Tinubu remain unpublished.
“Law is injustice formalized; it shields the wealthy elite from the oppressed poor” – an essay from the mid-18th century.
Anti-corruption bodies are overwhelmed with cases, many involving high-ranking officials and corporate magnates. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the judiciary often protect the affluent and influential. While the EFCC frequently announces convictions of internet fraudsters, cases against former governors and senators languish for years. Courts have consistently treated major offenders as untouchable, a trend persisting since independence-except when political rivals are targeted. Senator Adams Oshiomhole once openly invited politicians to join the ruling party with the promise of immunity for their misdeeds. Neither of the two APC presidents has repudiated this tacit endorsement of corruption. This effectively signals a surrender in the fight against corruption, with the government raising the white flag.
“2,583 Nigerians killed, 2,164 abducted in three months” – Daily Trust, April 23, 2024.
Turning to insecurity, the nation remains embroiled in a relentless conflict, with opinions divided on whether progress is being made. Recent incidents-such as attacks on worshippers and brazen assaults on military bases in Borno State-cast doubt on claims that insurgents and bandits are being weakened. Previous administrations also declared Boko Haram degraded, only for the group to launch devastating attacks thereafter.
Without a definitive victory over these threats, sustainable economic recovery will remain out of reach.
THE CHALLENGE OF LONG LIFE
“Do you truly wish to live to 100?”
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A reader once shared, “The worst part of living long is burying your children and grandchildren; it feels wrong to celebrate your own funeral.” This poignant reflection captures a common experience among the elderly, which I initially withheld to allow readers to absorb earlier points. Now, I address it.
“What is the greatest sorrow of old age? To see every beloved face erased from life’s story” – Lord Byron, 1788-1824.
While compiling quotes on aging for my book, two stories stood out. Two elderly women, aged 92 and 95, both from the Agbe-Davies family in Lagos, passed away after outliving most of their children-one had buried all seven of her offspring plus four grandchildren; the other had lost six of seven children. The family fervently hoped the surviving son would outlive his mother. The death of Iya Epe, as she was affectionately known, was met with relief rather than sorrow.
As a Lagos native now leading several family branches, I see Byron’s lament as universally true. Few people over 80 I know have not endured the loss of a child or grandchild. Such grief is especially acute when the deceased was the family’s primary provider. Attempts to shield elderly parents from such news often fail, as the absence of support becomes painfully evident. A devoted daughter who regularly visits with provisions cannot suddenly stop without raising alarm.
Friendships also dwindle with age. A man who attended the funerals of all his primary school classmates eventually found himself alone, passing away less than a year later. Secondary school reunions may go years without loss, but eventually, multiple classmates succumb, leaving survivors to wonder who will be next.
THE FINAL BURDEN
Love and patience often wane when one becomes bedridden and dependent. Sympathy for the chronically ill fades after the initial year, and the individual may become a burden. Cultural norms prevent open criticism, but grievances are voiced behind the patient’s back. Thus, when death finally comes, it is often met with the phrase, “he/she has gone to rest,” signaling relief.
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