President Bola Tinubu’s 2025 New Year message arrived with a hefty dose of optimism, but for Nigerians facing skyrocketing food prices, it felt more like a motivational speech for a parallel universe.
Development Diaries reports that the president made robust promises in his 2024 New Year message, but many were unfulfilled.
For example, the president promised Nigerians a reliable electricity supply in 2024, but Nigeria suffered 12 national grid collapses in 2024.
He also promised to accelerate food production, beef up security, and ultimately make food more affordable for Nigerians, but data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has shown that the cost of food has increased by staggering percentages all through 2024.
While the president in his address highlighted economic improvements, such as a strengthened naira, reduced fuel prices, and increased foreign reserves, these metrics have not translated to tangible relief for the average citizen.
The disconnect between macroeconomic indicators and the lived experiences of Nigerians, especially concerning inflation and the high cost of essential goods, undermines the credibility of his assurances.
The speech risks being perceived as overly idealistic without a clear and immediate plan to address these critical concerns.
The proposed initiatives, such as establishing the National Credit Guarantee Company and introducing a National Values Charter, appear forward-thinking.
However, the implementation timelines, stretching into the second quarter of 2025, may not alleviate the current hardships in the short term.
Given the government’s track record of slow execution, there is skepticism about whether these promises will be fulfiled efficiently and effectively.
Moreover, the focus on long-term projects without addressing immediate economic pain points leaves many citizens feeling unsupported.
President Tinubu’s call for national unity and patriotism, while important, could be seen as an attempt to deflect attention from pressing governance failures.
The emphasis on moral rectitude and adherence to values does little to address systemic issues, such as corruption and policy inefficiencies, which have eroded trust in government institutions.
Nigerians need concrete actions, not just moral exhortations, to believe in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The president’s acknowledgment of citizen sacrifices is a step in the right direction, but it falls short of offering real solutions.
Promising that sacrifices ‘will not be in vain’ without detailing immediate interventions to ease the burden on struggling families may come across as dismissive.
Furthermore, the reference to a ‘tiny segment’ of dissenting voices risks alienating legitimate critics and deepening divisions at a time when unity should be cultivated through inclusive and responsive governance.
In summary, while the speech paints a vision of hope and progress, it lacks the urgency and specificity needed to address Nigeria’s worsening economic challenges.
For many Nigerians, the promises of brighter days will only hold meaning if they are accompanied by swift, impactful actions that improve their daily lives.
Until then, the address may be viewed as disconnected from the harsh realities on the ground.
To move beyond rhetoric and foster genuine hope, President Tinubu must take immediate, actionable steps to address the economic hardships Nigerians face daily.
Development Diaries calls on the president to urgently implement policies that lower the cost of living, ensure transparency in resource management, and strengthen social safety nets for the most vulnerable.
Citizens, too, must remain engaged, holding leaders accountable through constructive dialogue and active participation in governance.
Photo source: PBAT Media Centre
