At 64 years of independence, Nigeria finds itself at a critical juncture where the trust between citizens and government is significantly eroded.
Development Diaries reports that President Bola Tinubu has approved a low-key independence celebration in alignment with the nation’s mood.
Nigeria grapples with a deepening trust gap between the government and its citizens.
This erosion of trust is rooted in a history of unfulfilled promises, corruption, and poor governance. Over the decades, successive administrations have failed to address critical issues such as infrastructure decay, insecurity, and the economic hardships plaguing most Nigerians.
The lack of transparency and accountability, and the culture of impunity within the political class, have further alienated citizens from their leaders.
Citizens have grown increasingly disillusioned, seeing a government more responsive to the needs of a privileged few while their living conditions continue to deteriorate.
The widening trust gap has been worsened in recent times by government actions that undermine democratic principles and the rule of law.
Instances of electoral malpractice and suppression of peaceful protests have led to a growing perception that the government is more interested in maintaining power than in addressing the concerns of the people.
A striking example is the recent #EndHunger and the #EndBadGovernance protests.
Regretfully, President Tinubu simply reiterated the talking points his administration has been making for the past 14 months in response to the protests, ignoring the demonstrators’ demands.
He also did not provide any immediate solution to the hunger-devastating Nigerians due to his economic policies.
The economic policies of the Tinubu administration have consistently failed to deliver sustainable growth and have contributed to the public’s discontent.
Rising inflation, unemployment, and poverty rates contrast starkly with the wealth enjoyed by political elites, widening the socio-economic divide.
Nigerians have continued to feel the effects of the numerous policy changes implemented by the government, particularly the most recent nationwide hike in fuel pump prices.
The latest increase in fuel pump prices has made many Nigerian workers resort to resigning from their jobs or sleeping in their workplace to cut costs as they can no longer meet up with the increased cost of transportation which is digging deep into their salaries.
Despite various government promises of reform and development, Nigerians continue to experience hardship, leading many to view the state as ineffective or indifferent.
Until the government takes decisive steps toward genuine transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness, the trust gap will continue to widen, and Nigeria’s democratic fabric will remain fragile.
Addressing this trust gap requires an approach that combines political will, citizen engagement, transparency, and accountability.
One of the primary ways the Nigerian government can bridge the trust gap is by ensuring transparency in governance.
The Tinubu-led government also needs to address the issue of impunity and corruption more decisively, because trust can only be built when people see justice being served.
Furthermore, accountability is key, and high-profile corruption cases must be handled transparently, with visible consequences for offenders.
Finally, bridging the trust gap demands that the government delivers on its promises, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, health care, education, and security.
Presently, the Tinubu government needs to prioritise bringing down inflation and promoting appreciation of the exchange rate.
The president has constantly promised reforms and improvements in the economy, but the reality on the ground remains dire for many.
In commemoration of Nigeria’s 64th year of independence, Development Diaries calls on President Tinubu to focus on achieving tangible results that improve the daily lives of Nigerians, thus fostering renewed trust in governance.
Source: Matthew Mario
