IN a momentous ceremony witnessed by thousands of Nigerians and foreign dignitaries,
Bola Tinubu, former governor of economic powerhouse Lagos, has been sworn in as the President of Africa’s most populous nation. As he takes the reins from President Muhammadu Buhari, Tinubu assumes leadership at a crucial juncture, leaving citizens divided between hopeful anticipation and lingering scepticism.
Tinubu, 71, assumes office in a country poised to become the world’s third most populous nation by 2050, trailing only India and China. Building on the foundation laid by his predecessor, he has pledged to deliver democratic dividends to a nation grappling with security crises, widespread poverty, and hunger, aiming to alleviate frustrations and reunite the country.
Symbolising the transfer of power, Gen. Lucky Irabor, Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, presented the national and defence flags of Nigeria to Buhari, who received the new flags from Tinubu. This gesture marked a significant shift in loyalty and signalled the beginning of a new era under the new administration.
While newly elected governors took their oaths of office across Nigerian states, the absence of the main opposition candidates challenging Tinubu’s election in court was notable at the inauguration venue. Simultaneously, social media witnessed a flurry of tweets expressing dissent. The court’s forthcoming decision on the opposition’s challenge, expected in about three weeks, holds the potential to set a historical precedent by nullifying a presidential election in Nigeria.
Tinubu’s manifesto, centred around the theme of ‘renewed hope,’ outlines ambitious plans to create jobs, boost local production, invest in agriculture and public infrastructure, enhance economic opportunities for the vulnerable, and fortify national security to combat all forms of insecurity. However, experts caution that his first 100 days in office may prove challenging, given the mountain of issues confronting the nation, including insecurity, fiscal crisis, poverty, and growing public discontent.
Mucahid Durmaz, Senior West Africa Analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, emphasised the delicate path that lies ahead for the new president. He told The Associated Press (AP): ‘Tinubu’s ambitious plans could face significant threats in his early days in office. From insecurity to fiscal crisis, poverty, and deepening public discontent, these challenges could undermine his vision for a better Nigeria.’
Echoing this sentiment, some analysts draw parallels between the promises made by Tinubu and the initial hopes vested in President Buhari’s tenure in 2015. Despite pledging to combat insecurity and develop the economy, Buhari fell short of expectations, leaving many disillusioned.
Dr. Seun Kolade, a Nigerian development expert and associate professor at De Montfort University, commented on the stark contrast, telling AP: ‘No Nigerian president has come into office with so much goodwill from citizens as President Buhari, but no other president has squandered it as quickly as President Buhari did. In terms of expectations and what is possible, this is a very mediocre eight years, to put it mildly.’
In Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, locals voiced their concerns over the challenges they faced during Buhari’s eight-year rule, citing economic hardship and insecurity as their foremost struggles. Princess Taiwo, a fruit seller, lamented the suffering endured by the people and expressed her hopes for a brighter future: ‘People have really suffered during this period. People have been dying because of a lack of money, and I pray and hope we should not experience this kind of thing again under the new president.’
The new administration must confront long-standing issues that have hindered Nigeria’s development, such as poor governance and endemic corruption. These factors have impeded citizens from reaping the benefits of being Africa’s top oil producer, despite the country’s substantial earnings.
Transparency and accountability have emerged as pressing concerns surrounding Tinubu’s presidency, particularly due to the ruling All Progressives Congress’s association with corruption allegations. Leena Koni Hoffmann-Atar, associate fellow at the Chatham House think tank, emphasised the importance of strengthening state institutions through accountability processes. ‘Beyond the character and competence of individuals, you have to have processes of accountability for state institutions to be strengthened. It remains to be seen whether accountability will be enhanced under Tinubu’s administration,’ she told AP.
Amidst mounting expectations, Tinubu faces an urgent need to address Nigeria’s security crises, as the nation grapples with growing public disillusionment. The erosion of confidence in the government’s ability to protect citizens has sparked concerns of self-preservation, with more individuals resorting to seeking their own protection.
Nnamdi Obasi, senior adviser for Nigeria at the International Crisis Group, warned of the consequences of inaction: ‘There is already a very substantial loss of confidence in the government as a protector of citizens. If the new government fails to act very decisively, we would have more people seeking their own self-help and protection.’
In the wake of a recent devastating attack in Plateau state’s Mangu district, where more than 100 people lost their lives, villagers are now looking to
the incoming president for assistance in ensuring their survival.
As Bola Tinubu assumes the presidency of Nigeria, the nation eagerly awaits the unfolding of his administration, with hope, scepticism, and high expectations intermingling. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, and Tinubu’s ability to navigate them will determine the fate of Africa’s most populous country.
