Feature/OPED
Insecurity and Nigeria’s Circle of Chaos
By Jerome-Mario Utomi
A nation is held by shared beliefs and shared attitudes. That is what enables them to rise above the conflicts that plague any society. That is what gives a nation its tone, its fibre, its integrity, its moral style, and its capacity to endure.—John Gardner.
If there is any event in recent weeks in the country that aptly demonstrates the nation’s deteriorating security situation, exposes present administration’s failure since assuming office in May 2015, to live up to its promise to ensure respect and protect human rights and other constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human rights instruments, it is the recent brutal massacre of over 67 farmworkers in Zabarmari village, Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, northeast Nigeria by Boko Haram sect.
Expectedly, this development which its pains was deepened by the awareness that it was avoidable, elicited an array of reactions; heated debate, rising tempers, innumerable complaints, a deluge of ‘testimonies’ and voices regaling tales of mourning and woes.
While it brought about a renewed call by well-meaning Nigerians for the immediate sack of the services Chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on the other hand called on Mr President to resign for failure to combat increasing insecurity in the country.
The response to the distressing case did not end there as the members of the National Assembly also joined to close ranks against the thoughtless killing.
The upper chamber declared that the federal government had breached Section 14 (1), which made security and welfare the sole purpose of its existence.
Similar fury and outrage that reverberated in the House of Representatives propelled members to summon President Muhammadu Buhari to appear over the killing.
Indeed, as the rage, conflict and turmoil continue unabated with the country refusing to recover its equilibrium, it is important to add that for reasons, these reactions did not come as a surprise to this piece.
First and foremost, separate from the fact that Professor Ango Abdullahi led Northern Elders Forum (NEF), and other well-meaning Nigerian had earlier in the year warned that the current circumstances in the North clearly demonstrates that President Muhammadu Buhari has lost the capacity to end insecurity, Mr President in the opinion of this piece, has in the past 6years of his administration allowed himself become the primary reality people worry about, rather than reality being the primary reality.
To explain, by retaining without any evidence of improvement, the Service Chiefs that he earlier believed that their effort was not good enough, and against public outcries, this administration has shown a recipe for mediocrity or worse. This has further raised the belief among Nigerians with critical minds that there is something deeply troubling about the present government’s relationship with reason, its disdain for facts, and their lack of curiosity about any new information that might produce a deeper understanding of the security problems and other challenges that they are supposed to wrestle with on behalf of the country.
Another problem is that going by reports; the Nigerian security sector in the past six years has remained in a dire state. The situation has continued to deteriorate in the areas of poor funding, poor staffing, poor equipment and poor training. It cuts across all spectra of the security sector and has persisted despite Nigeria’s ratification of several treaties that advocates for the rights to adequate security of life and property and impose an obligation on the federal government to respect, protect and fulfil these responsibilities.
Consequently, while the rights to life of Nigerians at the moment are overtly inscribed in the nation’s 1999 constitution (as amended), the present security temperature in the country coupled with Mr President’s absence of political will to rewrite the narrative as lavishly promised in 2015, has covertly characterized these rights as a circle of chaos or worse still, an equation without meaning.
Life in Nigeria has not only lost its value under the present administration but quoting Thomas Hobbs, becomes nasty, brutish and short as the country has become a hotbed for all manners of violence.
Take for example, it is almost impossible to say anything that can console members of the bereaved families at this difficult hour to erase the degree of disappointments currently domiciled in their minds. Yes! They were disappointed by the same federal government that on August 20, 2019, while announcing the partial closure of Nigeria’s land borders with neighbouring nations reeled out how smuggling of rice and other communities from the neighbouring countries threatens the nation’s domestic rice production and frustrates the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Anchor Borrowers Programme while encouraging Nigerians to go into local rice production to help the nation to achieve the targeted self-sufficiency in rice production; a call these innocent Nigerians responded to with vigour and patriotism.
Now, the emphasis has shifted as the President spokesperson recently ‘thundered’ that murdered farmers did not seek permission/clearance from the military before going to the farm. What a response?
Also strange but expected is the argument by some commentators that instead of the military being vilified, and call for the sack of service chiefs, they ought to be appreciated and celebrated and then encouraged to do much more in serving the country as the Nigerian Army has been an important stakeholder and critical institution that has played a very significant and fundamental role in the continued sustenance of democracy in our country.
Well-considered but then, the truth must be told to the fact that while there is no doubt that the Nigerian Army has truly played significant roles, signs exist that in recent times, they appear to be more managed but under led.
Such example is signposted in their recent visit to the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. Also as mentioned in a similar intervention recently, a few years ago, they were in south-eastern Nigeria where the people in tears watched the python dance.
At the south-south where the peace-loving Niger Deltans witnessed the ugly crocodile smile. But this ever available military were unfortunately unavailable when the innocent poor farmers in Zabarmari village needed their protection.
Against this backdrop, the questions may be asked; what is the wisdom behind keeping a security leadership that has successfully failed to provide safety/protection to the people that voted Mr President? Or keep a formation that whenever it pays a visit, it leaves in its trails sorrows, tears and blood?
While the answers to the above questions remain in the womb of time, it must be added that in the present circumstance, Nigerians are concerned about, and particularly not happy with the military-style of responding to present security challenges in the country.
Also rings apprehension is the belief by some reports that the federally controlled Nigeria Police Force (NPF) with about 371,800 officers, is endemically corrupt and outpaced by the manifold internal security challenges of a country with an estimated population of more than 200 million
Nigerians are indeed calling for security architecture that is rejigged, well-led and effectively managed in ways that respect rights of Nigerians and render future thoughtless killings impossible. They can no longer settle for claims without substance that Boko Haram has been technically defeated or the ‘traditional closed-door meeting of Mr President with Security Chief. Nigerians are indeed hungry for results.
Succeeding on this job will require President Buhari to acknowledge the present security challenge and growing mistrust between citizens and the government and get acquainted with those shared beliefs and shared attitudes that keep a nation together.
Above all, this administration must learn that globally, ‘a country’s defence capability has to continually upgrade as new technology, especially information technology, is incorporated into weapon systems. This requires a sound economy that can afford to pay for new weaponry and a highly educated and trained people who can integrate the various arms into one system and operate them efficiently and effectively’.
Jerome-Mario Utomi is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos.
By Luke Kyohere
The global payments landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation. New technologies coupled with the rising demand for seamless, secure, and efficient transactions has spurred on an exciting new era of innovation and growth. With 2025 fast approaching, here are important trends that will shape the future of payments:
1. The rise of real-time payments
Until recently, real-time payments have been used in Africa for cross-border mobile money payments, but less so for traditional payments. We are seeing companies like Mastercard investing in this area, as well as central banks in Africa putting focus on this.
2. Cashless payments will increase
In 2025, we will see the continued acceleration of cashless payments across Africa. B2B payments in particular will also increase. Digital payments began between individuals but are now becoming commonplace for larger corporate transactions.
3. Digital currency will hit mainstream
In the cryptocurrency space, we will see an increase in the use of stablecoins like United States Digital Currency (USDC) and Tether (USDT) which are linked to US dollars. These will come to replace traditional cryptocurrencies as their price point is more stable. This year, many countries will begin preparing for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), government-backed digital currencies which use blockchain.
The increased uptake of digital currencies reflects the maturity of distributed ledger technology and improved API availability.
4. Increased government oversight
As adoption of digital currencies will increase, governments will also put more focus into monitoring these flows. In particular, this will centre on companies and banks rather than individuals. The goal of this will be to control and occasionally curb runaway foreign exchange (FX) rates.
5. Business leaders buy into AI technology
In 2025, we will see many business leaders buying into AI through respected providers relying on well-researched platforms and huge data sets. Most companies don’t have the budget to invest in their own research and development in AI, so many are now opting to ‘buy’ into the technology rather than ‘build’ it themselves. Moreover, many businesses are concerned about the risks associated with data ownership and accuracy so buying software is another way to avoid this risk.
6. Continued AI Adoption in Payments
In payments, the proliferation of AI will continue to improve user experience and increase security. To detect fraud, AI is used to track patterns and payment flows in real-time. If unusual activity is detected, the technology can be used to flag or even block payments which may be fraudulent.
When it comes to user experience, we will also see AI being used to improve the interface design of payment platforms. The technology will also increasingly be used for translation for international payment platforms.
7. Rise of Super Apps
To get more from their platforms, mobile network operators are building comprehensive service platforms, integrating multiple payment experiences into a single app. This reflects the shift of many users moving from text-based services to mobile apps. Rather than offering a single service, super apps are packing many other services into a single app. For example, apps which may have previously been used primarily for lending, now have options for saving and paying bills.
8. Business strategy shift
Recent major technological changes will force business leaders to focus on much shorter prediction and reaction cycles. Because the rate of change has been unprecedented in the past year, this will force decision-makers to adapt quickly, be decisive and nimble.
As the payments space evolves, businesses, banks, and governments must continually embrace innovation, collaboration, and prioritise customer needs. These efforts build a more inclusive, secure, and efficient payment system that supports local to global economic growth – enabling true financial inclusion across borders.
Luke Kyohere is the Group Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Onafriq
In a heartfelt statement released today, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has extended its warmest congratulations to Ghana’s President-Elect, emphasizing the importance of learning from Ghana’s recent electoral success as Nigeria gears up for its 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP highlighted the need for Nigeria to reclaim its status as a leader in democratic governance in Africa.
“The recent victory of Ghana’s President-Elect is a testament to the maturity and resilience of Ghana’s democracy,” the CNPP stated. “As we celebrate this achievement, we must reflect on the lessons that Nigeria can learn from our West African neighbour.”
The CNPP’s message underscored the significance of free, fair, and credible elections, a standard that Ghana has set and one that Nigeria has previously achieved under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. “It is high time for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a beacon of democracy in Africa,” the CNPP asserted, calling for a renewed commitment to the electoral process.
Central to CNPP’s message is the insistence that “the will of the people must be supreme in Nigeria’s electoral processes.” The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria CNPP emphasized the necessity of an electoral system that genuinely reflects the wishes of the Nigerian populace. “We must strive to create an environment where elections are free from manipulation, violence, and intimidation,” the CNPP urged, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take decisive action to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The CNPP also expressed concern over premature declarations regarding the 2027 elections, stating, “It is disheartening to note that some individuals are already announcing that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027. This kind of statement not only undermines the democratic principles that our nation holds dear but also distracts from the pressing need for the current administration to earn the trust of the electorate.”
The CNPP viewed the upcoming elections as a pivotal moment for Nigeria. “The 2027 general elections present a unique opportunity for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a leader in democratic governance in Africa,” it remarked. The body called on all stakeholders — including the executive, legislature, judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and civil society organisations — to collaborate in ensuring that elections are transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people.
As the most populous African country prepares for the 2027 elections, the CNPP urged all Nigerians to remain vigilant and committed to democratic principles. “We must work together to ensure that our elections are free from violence, intimidation, and manipulation,” the statement stated, reaffirming the CNPP’s commitment to promoting a peaceful and credible electoral process.
In conclusion, the CNPP congratulated the President-Elect of Ghana and the Ghanaian people on their remarkable achievements.
“We look forward to learning from their experience and working together to strengthen democracy in our region,” the CNPP concluded.
By Kenechukwu Aguolu
The proposed tax reform, involving four tax bills introduced by the Federal Government, has received significant criticism. Notably, it was rejected by the Governors’ Forum but was still forwarded to the National Assembly. Unlike the various bold economic decisions made by this government, concessions will likely need to be made on these tax reforms, which involve legislative amendments and therefore cannot be imposed by the executive. This article highlights the purposes of taxation, the qualities of a good tax system, and some of the implications of the proposed tax reforms.
One of the major purposes of taxation is to generate revenue for the government to finance its activities. A good tax system should raise sufficient revenue for the government to fund its operations, and support economic and infrastructural development. For any country to achieve meaningful progress, its tax-to-GDP ratio should be at least 15%. Currently, Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio is less than 11%. The proposed tax reforms aim to increase this ratio to 18% within the next three years.
A good tax system should also promote income redistribution and equality by implementing progressive tax policies. In line with this, the proposed tax reforms favour low-income earners. For example, individuals earning less than one million naira annually are exempted from personal income tax. Additionally, essential goods and services such as food, accommodation, and transportation, which constitute a significant portion of household consumption for low- and middle-income groups, are to be exempted from VAT.
In addition to equality, a good tax system should ensure equity and fairness, a key area of contention surrounding the proposed reforms. If implemented, the amendments to the Value Added Tax could lead to a significant reduction in the federal allocation for some states; impairing their ability to finance government operations and development projects. The VAT amendments should be holistically revisited to promote fairness and national unity.
The establishment of a single agency to collect government taxes, the Nigeria Revenue Service, could reduce loopholes that have previously resulted in revenue losses, provided proper controls are put in place. It is logically easier to monitor revenue collection by one agency than by multiple agencies. However, this is not a magical solution. With automation, revenue collection can be seamless whether it is managed by one agency or several, as long as monitoring and accountability measures are implemented effectively.
The proposed tax reforms by the Federal Government are well-intentioned. However, all concerns raised by Nigerians should be looked into, and concessions should be made where necessary. Policies are more effective when they are adapted to suit the unique characteristics of a nation, rather than adopted wholesale. A good tax system should aim to raise sufficient revenue, ensure equitable income distribution, and promote equality, equity, and fairness.
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