- Professor Shola Omotola urges President Tinubu to learn from past governance mistakes and proactively address Nigeria’s challenges
- Omotola highlights the need for legislative oversight and expresses concerns over economic policies’ impact on academics’ living standards
Professor Shola Omotola, a seasoned political scientist and former deputy vice chancellor at the Federal University in Oye Ekiti, emphasized the need for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to heed the lessons from past governmental errors and urge a proactive approach to tackling Nigeria’s pressing issues.
Speaking during the 2024 retreat of the Senate Press Corps held in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Omotola underscored the significance of learning from historical missteps in governance.
In his discourse titled “The developmental impact of the executive on Nigerians from 1999-2024,” Omotola highlighted the challenges plaguing Nigeria, citing President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for disregarding the rule of law, exacerbating hunger, poverty, and insecurity. He lamented that despite numerous policies, poverty has persisted since 1999.
“It’s premature to pass judgment on this administration, given its short tenure. Yet, it must draw insights from past administrations’ mistakes,” Omotola asserted. He stressed the vital role of legislative oversight when the executive falters.
Drawing attention to the grim economic realities academics face, Omotola lamented the plight of university professors unable to afford basic necessities. “Today, no university professor can afford a car solely on their salary. The removal of fuel subsidy without adequate mitigation measures has fractured many households,” he remarked.
As the government proceeds with subsidy removals, Omotola expressed concerns over the stagnant salaries of professors amidst escalating living costs. He urged comprehensive measures to alleviate the burdens imposed by economic policies, advocating for holistic approaches to safeguard citizens’ welfare.
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