Young people have been leading large-scale protests in two of Africa’s most influential countries, Kenya and Nigeria. While many of the protesters’ demands are unlikely to be met, the demonstrations highlight the urgent need for fundamental reforms, not only in Kenya and Nigeria, but across Africa.

In Kenya, young people first took to the streets in June to execute “seven days of rage” – massive and largely peaceful protests against a proposed finance bill that would increase taxes on a wide range of goods and services at a time when the cost of living is surging. Thousands stormed Kenya’s parliament, and President William Ruto deployed the military to carry out a violent crackdown that, in the ensuing weeks, left at least 39 dead and nearly 400 wounded. More than 600 protesters have been detained.

Despite initially vowing to quash the protests, Ruto soon conceded that the people had spoken, withdrew the bill, and dissolved his cabinet. Yet the protests – including calls for Ruto’s resignation – continued, with young people demanding action to address deep-seated problems like government corruption, mismanagement of public funds, and inadequate checks on the executive’s authority.

The Kenya protests inspired young Nigerians, who announced ten days of anti-government protests during August. Their grievances, too, are largely related to the economy and poor governance. Fuel costs rose exponentiallyafter President Bola Tinubu scrapped a longstanding subsidy last year. And the naira’s value plummeted following the central bank’s decision to allow market forces alone to determine the exchange rate.

Now, ordinary Nigerians – who already face high unemployment – are being crushed by inflation and food and power shortages. Yet, as in Kenya, their attempts to be heard have been met with state violence – more than 20 are dead, and hundreds more have been arrested – even as political leaders have paid lip service to their demands.

The problems driving recent protests are hardly confined to Nigeria and Kenya. High unemployment is taking a toll on educated urban youth in many parts of Africa. Moreover, many leaders across the continent implement economic reforms that disproportionately burden ordinary citizens, while elected officials continue to enjoy extravagant lifestyles. Many African countries have records of human-rights violations, which go unpunished. Achieving a more stable, prosperous future in Africa requires action in all these areas.

Begin with the prevailing approach to economic reform. Both Ruto and Tinubu would argue that their controversial policy proposals were in their countries’ interest. Ruto’s finance bill was designed to reduce the budget deficit, rein in public debt, and satisfy lenders like the International Monetary Fund (which halted funding to Kenya after the bill was withdrawn). Similarly, Tinubu’s decision to end fuel subsidies aimed to ease pressure on public finances, while the change to the exchange-rate regime was supposed to stabilize the economy and attract investment.

But implementing austerity measures without considering people’s ability to weather them shows a lack of empathy – even disdain. If the terms of a loan agreement are too onerous, it is the government’s job to renegotiate them. Technocrats and responsible politicians must signal to the IMF that demanding reforms that will take an excessive toll on ordinary people leaves countries vulnerable to unrest, while undermining the Fund’s legitimacy – and that of other international institutions – as a partner of African countries.

In any case, if African governments are serious about reducing deficits and debt, they should first look inward. Elected officials in Kenya and Nigeria are not only among the world’s highest-paid; they also benefit significantly from “constituency development funds” – essentially slush funds for politicians. Kenya’s government is particularly bloated.

Curtailing such expenditure is urgent and would be a strong good-faith gesture to young people. A radical increase in transparency – showing how public money is spent at the national and sub-national levels and enabling easier tracking of these expenditures by citizen groups – would also help. Public commitments, such as through the Open Government Partnership, are a good first step, but only if they are quickly backed by action. All of these efforts are prerequisites to reducing corruption.

A third piece of the reform puzzle is ending impunity for state violence. The recent crackdowns are, after all, nothing new in Africa. In Nigeria, the 2020 protests against police brutality were met with yet more violence by security agents, who have faced no accountability whatsoever. Last year’s cost-of-living protests in Kenya were also met with violence, for which no one has been held accountable. Similar stories can be told about many other African countries, where repression is often widespread.

Ending such impunity is an essential first step toward building a peaceful and prosperous civic order. Accountability should start with the individuals who directly inflict the violence, whether police or military, but must also extend to those in command. When protests erupt, government must engage with the demonstrators and find credible ways to respond to their demands. Arrests should be made only when actual crimes are committed, and the accused must be given swift and fair trials.

Despite violent crackdowns, Kenyan youth are still protesting, and their Nigerian counterparts have pledged to return to the streets if their demands are not met. Other countries, such as Uganda, are also facing anti-government and anti-corruption protest movements. As long as governments lean on repressive tactics, rather than undertaking meaningful reforms, such upheaval will continue.

Project Syndicate

The number of verified Bank Verification Number (BVN) holders in Nigeria has soared to 65 million, according to the latest report published by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).

The Bank Verification Number (BVN) system was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2014 as a biometric identification initiative aimed at reducing fraud and enhancing security in the banking industry. The BVN serves as a unique identifier that links bank accounts across multiple financial institutions, ensuring streamlined processes and improved customer verification. Since its inception, the system has grown exponentially, now covering a significant portion of Nigeria’s banked population.

Between April 2024 and July 2024 alone, the number of BVN-registered accounts grew from 61.47 million to 62.7 million, representing an increase of 854,267 in just three months. This upward trend, coupled with the surge to 65 million by August, signifies a growth of more than 4 million new verified BVN holders in 2024; a remarkable achievement in the drive toward full financial inclusion.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officerof NIBSS, Premier Oiwoh attributed the growth to continuous technological upgrades and innovation.

While the growth in BVN registration signals progress, industry experts have raised concerns about the 40% of the Nigerian population that remains financially excluded. The Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) Access to Finance (A2F) 2023 survey highlighted that despite the increasing adoption of digital services and urbanisation, many Nigerians still lack access to formal banking services. This gap is especially evident in rural areas, where low financial literacy and deep-seated mistrust of banking institutions persist.

Kurfi Garba, Managing Director of APT Securities, explained, “Many Nigerians remain unaware of the benefits of having a bank account. Financial literacy is still low, and cultural factors, such as mistrust of formal banking institutions, deter a significant portion of the population from participating in the formal financial sector.”

Garba also noted that there is a growing demand for alternative financial services, such as mobile wallets and payment service banks, which require less stringent identification processes compared to traditional banks. These options could potentially bridge the gap and increase financial inclusion, particularly for the unbanked and underbanked segments of the population.

Former Chief Economist at Coronation Merchant Bank, Chinwe Egwim, underscored the need for a holistic approach to increasing financial inclusion. “Improving financial literacy, fostering trust in formal financial institutions, and creating an enabling environment for economic growth are critical steps toward closing the financial inclusion gap. The banking sector must also invest in advanced cybersecurity to protect the BVN database and reassure customers that their personal data is secure.”

Egwim further stressed the importance of ongoing public education efforts, not only to promote the benefits of BVN registration but also to safeguard against fraud and identity theft. “As we continue to expand digital banking services, we must ensure that both urban and rural communities are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to engage safely with these systems.”

By addressing these challenges head-on, experts note that Nigeria can fully capitalise on the advantages of the BVN system, paving the way for a more inclusive, secure, and technologically advanced financial ecosystem.

Sun

Thousands of residents in Maiduguri have been displaced after a catastrophic flood, caused by the overflow of the Alau Dam, submerged 70% of the city. The flood, which is Borno State's worst disaster in three decades, has also resulted in a jailbreak, with the Nigerian Correctional Service recapturing three escaped inmates, and the death of 80% of animals at the Sanda Kyarimi Park zoo.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the extent of the devastation, reporting that key locations in the city, including the Shehu of Borno’s palace, the state secretariat, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, are underwater.

NEMA spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel explained that the flooding began after heavy rainfall caused the Alau Dam to overflow, rapidly inundating large parts of the city. "About 70% of the town is already underwater," Ezekiel said, adding that many residents were trapped as the floodwaters surged while they slept.

The flat terrain of Maiduguri has exacerbated the situation, allowing floodwaters to flow quickly into lower-lying areas. While the exact number of displaced persons remains unclear, NEMA estimates that about 70% of the city’s population of over 800,000 may have been affected.

In an effort to support displaced residents, the federal and state governments have opened three Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, with Bakasi Camp being designated as the primary relocation center. According to NEMA, search and rescue operations are ongoing, and the agency is working closely with the Borno State Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance to those impacted by the disaster.

As the flooding worsened, many institutions and businesses in the city have been forced to shut down, including the University of Maiduguri. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) Nigeria, in a statement on social media, described the widespread damage, noting that homes, schools, and businesses have been submerged.

This disaster comes amid a year of severe flooding in Nigeria, which has already claimed the lives of at least 229 people, displaced over 386,000, and damaged nearly 95,000 houses, primarily in the northern region. Over 125,000 hectares of farmland have also been affected, according to NEMA.

In a chilling echo of Nigeria's darkest days under military rule, President Bola Tinubu's administration has unleashed a wave of repression that threatens to strangle the very democracy he once fought to establish. The recent spate of arrests, detentions, and intimidation of activists, journalists, and civil society organizations paints a grim picture of a government spiraling towards authoritarianism.

The arrest of Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the brazen raid on the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) are not isolated incidents, but part of a broader pattern of governmental overreach. These actions, coupled with the detention of journalists and whistleblowers, reveal a regime increasingly paranoid and intolerant of dissent.

It is a bitter irony that Tinubu, once a stalwart of the pro-democracy movement, now presides over an administration that surpasses even the notorious excesses of military dictatorship. The Department of State Services, acting as the government's attack dog, has embarked on a campaign of intimidation that makes a mockery of Nigeria's hard-won democratic freedoms.

Perhaps most alarming is the government's response to peaceful protests against its economic policies. The mass arrests and ludicrous charges of treason leveled against #EndBadGovernance demonstrators, including minors, represent a dangerous escalation. By criminalizing dissent, Tinubu's administration reveals its fundamental weakness and insecurity.

Instead of addressing the legitimate grievances of a populace struggling under the weight of ill-conceived economic reforms, skyrocketing inflation, and widespread hardship, the government has chosen the path of repression. This short-sighted strategy will only deepen the crisis of legitimacy facing Tinubu's presidency.

The words of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar ring true: this "siege is anathema to the principles of freedom and justice." Nigeria stands at a crossroads. Will it slide back into the abyss of dictatorship, or will its citizens stand firm in defense of their hard-won democratic rights?

President Tinubu must heed the warnings of groups like Afenifere and reverse course immediately. The immediate release of all detained protesters, an end to the harassment of journalists and civil society organizations, and a genuine engagement with the concerns of the Nigerian people are not just moral imperatives – they are essential for the survival of Nigeria's democracy.

The world is watching, Mr. President. The choice between tyranny and democracy lies in your hands. The legacy of your administration hangs in the balance. Will you be remembered as the leader who extinguished the flame of Nigerian democracy, or as one who had the courage to uphold the principles for which you once fought so passionately?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, says attacks on media and civil society organisations (CSOs) under President Bola Tinubu’s administration are worse than what occurred during the military era.

Abubakar was reacting to the arrest of Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the alleged invasion of the office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by the Department of State Services (DSS). 

Security operatives have intensified attacks on journalists since the turn of the year.

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has also detained several journalists and whistleblowers over alleged petitions filed against them.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Abubakar described the attacks on the media as “profoundly disturbing”.

“The escalating assault on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration is profoundly disturbing. The level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship,” Abubakar wrote. 

“The recent arrest of Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, en route to an official event, epitomizes this regime’s relentless campaign to intimidate and subdue organized labour.

“Just days prior, security forces detained a journalist, only to later claim it was a grievous error. What if the outcome had been fatal? Now, Tinubu’s regime extends its repressive grasp to encroach upon @SERAPNigeria, an action that stands as a grave affront to our democratic values.

“This siege is anathema to the principles of freedom and justice. It is imperative that Tinubu and his security apparatus redirect their fervour and intimidation towards the actual perpetrators of violence — terrorists and bandits — who are inflicting immeasurable suffering upon the Nigerian people.”

During Nigeria’s military era — 1966-1979 and 1983-1999 — attacks on journalists and media houses were widespread, marked by severe repression.

The military regime also witnessed the killings of journalists and activists.

The Cable

The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of hundreds of #EndBadGovernance protesters arrested and detained across the country. These individuals, including adults and minors, have been charged with treason for participating in protests against the economic policies of the Tinubu administration.

Afenifere expressed deep concern over the government's handling of peaceful demonstrations, emphasizing that protesting against poor economic governance is not a crime, let alone treason. In a statement signed by the group’s Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, Afenifere warned that such actions could lead the country down a dangerous path toward dictatorship.

The group highlighted that many of the detained protesters are simply exercising their democratic right to express dissatisfaction with economic policies that have worsened inflation, slashed real wages, and caused long fuel queues and energy shortages. Instead of addressing the root causes of the protests, Afenifere noted that the government has resorted to criminalizing dissent, including jailing underage protesters, a move the group condemned as unjust.

Afenifere further criticized the government’s claims that the protesters’ actions amounted to treason, stating that peaceful protests, even when they result in minor incidents of property damage, should be treated as civil disobedience, not treasonous acts. The group urged the government to focus on addressing the legitimate grievances raised by the demonstrators, rather than resorting to authoritarian measures.

The statement also pointed out the economic hardships currently faced by Nigerians, which the group described as being exacerbated by poor policy decisions. It specifically highlighted issues surrounding the premature removal of petrol subsidies and the devaluation of the Naira, both of which have worsened the economic conditions of millions.

Afenifere warned that criminalizing peaceful protests and stifling dissent would only deepen the public’s distrust in the government and called on President Tinubu to learn from history, referencing the dark days of military rule that both Tinubu and Afenifere fought against.

The group concluded by urging the administration to respect the democratic right to protest and to release all detained protesters immediately, warning that Nigeria must not return to a pariah state where dissent is treated as a threat to national security.

Israel close to completing Gaza missions, focus on north, defence minister says

Israeli forces are near to fulfilling their mission in Gaza and their focus will turn to the country's northern border with Lebanon as daily exchanges of fire with Hezbollah take place, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Tuesday

"The centre of gravity is moving northward, we are near to completing our tasks in the south, but our mission here is not yet done," Gallant told troops on Israel's northern border in a video sent by his office.

Gallant was attending a ground combat drill, his office said.

"These instructions that you are waiting for here today, I gave in the south and saw the forces operate," Gallant said referring to Israel's ground invasion of the Gaza Strip three weeks after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that triggered the war.

The Lebanese group Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on Oct. 8 and the two sides have been trading fire since, with tens of thousands of civilians displaced on both sides of the border.

Israeli leaders have said they would prefer to resolve the conflict through an agreement that would push Iran-backed Hezbollah away from the border. Hezbollah has said that it will continue fighting Israel as long as the war in Gaza is ongoing.

In separate remarks to journalists on Tuesday, Gallant said:

"While we pursue an agreement, I have directed the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) to prepare for every scenario, including directing our attention to the northern arena. We are committed to changing the security situation on the northern front and to bringing our citizens home safely."

The Israli military on Tuesday said it killed a commander in Hezbollah's elite Radwan force. The group confirmed his death but not his role and said it fired rockets at Israeli army targets across the border in retaliation.

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

More Ukrainians want talks with Russia – WSJ

An increasing number of Ukrainians want Kiev to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Moscow, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

The US outlet acknowledged in an article on Tuesday that “some Ukrainians are asking a question that had until recently been taboo: Is it time to try to negotiate?”
Support for talks with Russia has been “creeping upward” in Ukraine since the failure of Kiev’s much-hyped counteroffensive last year, according to the WSJ.

Another poll, published by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) in early August, suggested that 57% of the public wanted dialogue with Russia to begin.

The outlet cited a 33-year-old school teacher from the southeastern city of Zaporozhye, who said that she is willing to give up any part of territory in exchange for peace so that her husband could return home from the front line. “Where can we go with this war?” she wondered.

The group that is most skeptical about a peace deal with Russia is the Ukrainian military, with one recent survey showing that only 18% of active-duty troops and veterans are in favor of the talks, the article read. According to the same poll, 15% of soldiers and veterans said they would join an armed protest if Kiev signs an unfavorable agreement with Moscow.

The members of the military who spoke to the WSJ said that they were concerned that Russia could use a pause in the fighting to prepare for a new attack on Ukraine and that seeking peace with concessions would mean that the sacrifice of their fallen comrades had been in vain.

During his meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky suggested that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine should end “this fall.”

According to Zelensky, in order for this happen, NATO must keep arming Kiev and increase pressure on Moscow to agree to the Ukrainian peace plan, which calls for the withdrawal of Russian forces from all territories that Kiev considers its own, including Crimea, and for Moscow to pay reparations and submit its officials to war tribunals.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow had “never refused”negotiations with Kiev, but stressed that they should take place “not on the basis of some ephemeral demands but on the basis of the documents that were agreed to and actually initialized in Istanbul” in late March 2022, when the sides last sat at the negotiating table.

During the talks in Türkiye, Ukraine was willing to declare military neutrality, limit its armed forces, and vow not to discriminate against ethnic Russians. In return, Moscow would have joined other leading powers in offering Ukraine security guarantees, Putin said.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukraine targets Moscow in biggest drone attack yet

Ukraine targeted the Russian capital on Tuesday in its biggest drone attack so far, killing at least one and wrecking dozens of homes in the Moscow region and forcing around 50 flights to be diverted from airports around Moscow.

Russia, the world's biggest nuclear power, said it had destroyed at least 20 Ukrainian attack drones as they swarmed over the Moscow region, which has a population of more than 21 million, and 124 more over eight other regions.

At least one person was killed near Moscow, Russian authorities said. Three of Moscow's four airports were closed for more than six hours and almost 50 flights were diverted.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the drone attack was another reminder of the real nature of Ukraine's political leadership, which he said was made up of Russia's enemies.

"There is no way that night time strikes on residential neighbourhoods can be associated with military action," said Peskov.

"The Kyiv regime continues to demonstrate its nature. They are our enemies and we must continue the special military operation to protect ourselves from such actions," he said, using the expression Moscow uses to describe its war in Ukraine.

Kyiv said Russia, which sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, had attacked it overnight with 46 drones, of which 38 were destroyed.

The drone attacks on Russia damaged at high-rise apartment buildings in the Ramenskoye district of the Moscow region, setting flats on fire, residents told Reuters.

A 46-year-old woman was killed and three people were wounded in Ramenskoye, Moscow regional governor Andrei Vorobyov said.

Residents said they awoke to blasts and fire.

"I looked at the window and saw a ball of fire," Alexander Li, a resident of the district told Reuters. "The window got blown out by the shockwave."

Georgy, a resident who declined to give his surname, said he heard a drone buzzing outside his building in the early hours.

"I drew back the curtain and it hit the building right before my eyes, I saw it all," he said. "I took my family and we ran outside."

The Ramenskoye district, some 50 km (31 miles) southeast of the Kremlin, has a population of around a quarter of a million people, according to official data.

More than 70 drones were also downed over Russia's Bryansk region and tens more over other regions, Russia's defence ministry said. There was no damage or casualties reported there.

As Russia advances in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv has taken the war to Russia with a cross-border attack into Russia's western Kursk region that began on Aug. 6 and by carrying out increasingly large drone attacks deep into Russian territory.

DRONE WAR

The war has largely been a grinding artillery and drone war along the 1,000 km (620 mile) heavily fortified front line in southern and eastern Ukraine involving hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

Moscow and Kyiv have both sought to buy and develop new drones, deploy them in innovative ways, and seek new ways to destroy them - from using shotguns to advanced electronic jamming systems.

Both sides have turned cheap commercial drones into deadly weapons while ramping up their own production and assembly to attack targets including tanks and energy infrastructure such as refineries and airfields.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has sought to insulate Moscow from the grinding rigours of the war, has called Ukrainian drone attacks that target civilian infrastructure such as nuclear power plants "terrorism" and has vowed a response.

Moscow and other big Russian cities have largely been insulated from the war.

Russia itself has hit Ukraine with thousands of missiles and drones in the last two-and-a-half years, killing thousands of civilians, wrecking much of the country's energy system and damaging commercial and residential properties across the country.

Ukraine says it has a right to strike back deep into Russia, though Kyiv's Western backers have said they do not want a direct confrontation between Russia and the U.S.-led NATO military alliance.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine about Tuesday's attacks. Both sides deny targeting civilians.

Tuesday's attack follows drone attacks Ukraine launched in early September chiefly targeting Russia's energy and power facilities.

Authorities in the Tula region, which neighbours the Moscow region to its north, said drone wreckage had fallen onto a fuel and energy facility but that the "technological process" of the facility was not affected.

RT/Reuters

Nigerians were met with another shock as the federal government imposed yet another levy, this time targeting customers of Fintech platforms through an electronic money transfer levy. This comes from a government struggling to fulfill its duty to protect its citizens and provide essential services such as infrastructure, security, and stable fuel prices.

The latest levy, a N50 charge on electronic transfers above N10,000, has sparked outrage among citizens who are already grappling with multiple taxes, poverty, hunger, and unemployment. The removal of the oil subsidy is already wreaking havoc on citizens, who are finding it increasingly difficult to afford transportation or basic meals as prices of commodities soar.

The All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration seems to need a reminder of the primary functions of government. The Bola Tinubu administration must realize that its primary duty is to ensure the well-being, safety, and prosperity of its citizens. At present, however, the Nigerian government appears to have abandoned this fundamental responsibility, focusing instead on revenue generation through excessive taxation.

The Electronic Money Transfer Levy Regulations, introduced by the Finance Act of 2020 and enforced by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) starting from September 9, is a glaring example of this revenue-centric obsession. The N50 levy on electronic transactions over N10,000 will only worsen the suffering of Nigerians, who are already overburdened by various taxes, fees, and levies.

Fintech companies like OPay, Moniepoint, and PalmPay began charging the N50 levy on transactions above N10,000 in compliance with FIRS regulations. This new fee is part of the federal government's broader efforts to generate revenue from electronic transactions.

But the question persists: what has the government done to improve the lives of Nigerians? The answer seems clear—nothing. Instead, it continues to impose levies and taxes on its citizens without providing essential services or improving infrastructure.

Tinubu's Government: A Tale of Two Realities

While the Tinubu administration talks about reforms and measures to curb corruption and reduce the country's debt, its actions paint a different picture. The government’s rhetoric about austerity and belt-tightening isn’t reflected in the lavish lifestyle and spending habits of those in power.

Despite Nigeria's economic struggles, the presidency continues to indulge in extravagant spending, with reports of new luxury cars, jets, and even a state-of-the-art yacht worth billions of naira being added to the presidential fleet. These excessive expenditures have drawn widespread outrage, especially among Nigerians who are battling to survive amid skyrocketing prices and economic hardship.

The president’s personal life is similarly marked by extravagance, with frequent trips abroad, staying in high-end hotels, all at the expense of the Nigerian taxpayer.

This disparity between the government's words and actions has fueled skepticism. How can a government claiming to reduce corruption and waste continue with such opulence? The answer seems simple: there are two sets of rules—one for the ruling elite and another for the masses.

The reforms and measures the government touts are little more than a smokescreen to distract from its excesses. While ordinary Nigerians are asked to make sacrifices and tighten their belts, the ruling class continues to live in luxury, oblivious to the suffering of the people.

It’s high time the government practiced what it preaches. If the leadership is serious about reforms and reducing corruption, they must lead by example. Nigerians deserve a government that walks the talk, not one that says one thing and does another.

Looking at Nigeria’s current situation, it’s clear that the government's priorities are misplaced. Instead of focusing on improving the lives of its citizens, it continues to burden them with more taxes and levies while spending lavishly.

The Tinubu administration must understand that a thriving economy is built on the foundation of a prosperous people. To achieve this, the government must create an enabling environment for businesses to grow. This includes supporting small and medium-sized enterprises with grants and loans, and investing in agriculture, production, and productivity. By doing so, the government can stimulate economic growth and create jobs, ultimately raising the standard of living for Nigerians.

Only when both the micro and macro economies are improved can the government justify taxing its citizens. As things stand, however, the government's continued taxation of already overburdened citizens amounts to nothing short of extortion.

The government must be sincere in its efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians. Lip service alone won’t suffice; concrete action is needed. Everything isn’t about politics; the welfare of the people should be the government’s top priority.

This APC-led administration must realize that its role is to serve the people, not the other way around. It is time for a shift in approach—one that prioritizes the needs of Nigerians and works towards a brighter future for all.

Only then can the government justify its existence and earn the trust and respect of its citizens. Until then, Nigerians will continue to suffer, and the government's credibility will continue to deteriorate.

It’s time for the government to rethink its priorities and focus on the welfare of its citizens. Enough is enough, President Bola Tinubu. Nigerians cannot continue to suffer under the weight of excessive taxation and poor governance. Please, do something.

**Dayo DaSilva is a Mass Communication Expert, Brand Strategist, and Growth Manager from Ogun State.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Melody Wilding

“Eric” is a program manager at a fast-scaling tech company. He’s hungry for career growthand perfectly positioned to take on more responsibility. He’s eager for exposure to senior management and hopeful he’ll eventually advance to a director-level position. 

Yet despite his ambition and potential, Eric finds himself constantly repeating two toxic words: I’ll wait. 

• “I’ll wait until I’ve finished this major project rollout,” he tells himself when a new leadership opportunity opens up. 
• “I’ll wait until after my quarterly review to bring this up,” he decides when considering whether to pitch an idea to his boss. 
• “I’ll wait until the new year to be firmer about my work hours,” is how he rationalizes answering emails at 11 p.m. yet again.
• “I’ll wait until things are calmer before I ask for a raise,” is what he tells himself, but things never slow down. 

Now, Eric is more of a hypothetical — an amalgamation of real clients I’ve had rather than any one client in particular. But as an executive coach for over a decade, I’ve seen this pattern repeat itself countless times. 

Saying “I’ll wait” may seem reasonable on the surface, but these two little words will just hold you back. 

Why saying ‘I’ll wait’ can be toxic for your career

What I’ve learned from working with thousands of deep-thinking, high-achieving professionals is that “I’ll wait” is usually a form of perfectionism in disguise — a sneaky way of keeping yourself safe from potential failure or criticism. 

You believe you’re being prudent and preparing. You convince yourself that a magical day will arrive when you finally feel ready to take that leap. But in reality, you may just be avoiding discomfort.

These two little words allow you to justify your struggles and keep yourself trapped in people-pleasing and overthinking.  

If you’re like Eric, you might sacrifice work-life balance as you watch colleagues get promotedahead of you and feel increasingly frustrated and undervalued. With each “I’ll wait,” you reinforce the false belief that you’re not quite ready, not quite good enough.

These words create a vicious cycle: the longer you wait, the less confident you feel, and the more you stall.

If you keep waiting for the “perfect time,” you’ll be waiting forever. Your situation won’t magically improve “someday” without brave, deliberate action. In fact, your fears might intensify, pushing you further from the confidence, compensation, and recognition you deserve.

Waiting only guarantees more of the same: stress, self-doubt, and dissatisfaction. 

So how do you stop the cycle? 

Investigate your impulse to wait

When you catch yourself saying “I’ll wait,” pause and dig deeper. Ask yourself questions to discern if your hesitation is based on concrete observations or fear-driven feelings and vague notions that might never materialize. Try:

• Is my reason for waiting based on external facts or internal feelings?When you say something like, “I’ll wait to apply for the promotion until the new budget is approved next month, because that’ll determine if the role is funded,” you’re basing your decision on facts. But if you think, “I’ll hold off on applying until I feel more confident in my leadership skills,” emotion could be clouding your approach. 
• What’s the worst that could happen if I act now? Is that outcome truly likely?You might worry, “If I pitch my idea, my boss could reject it and think less of me.” In reality, your manager will probably appreciate your proactivity and creative thinking, even if they don’t implement your idea immediately. 
• Am I waiting for something specific to change or for a vague sense of “readiness”? Compare these two thoughts: “I’ll wait to volunteer for the cross-functional project after I’ve completed my current assignment,” versus “I’ll volunteer when I’ve built enough trust with the engineering team.” The first statement has a clear, time-bound condition, while the second relies on an ambiguous sense of experience that could keep you on pause indefinitely.

Define your criteria for ‘good enough’

Set realistic benchmarks for taking action that don’t demand perfection. For instance, maybe you decide to present in larger meetings after you’ve received positive feedback on three lower-stakes presentations. 

Likewise, break your steps down into smaller, manageable parts. This operates on the psychology of the progress principle, which suggests that hitting milestones can give you the confidence to tackle bigger, more daunting goals. 

Let’s say you’re thinking, “I’ll wait until we have new leadership in place to suggest changes to how we work.” Instead of putting it off, you could start keeping track of what is and isn’t working in your current processes.

You could also chat informally with colleagues to collect different perspectives and ideas. That way, when the new leadership steps in, you’re ready to present a well-rounded case. 

Build your tolerance for ambiguity

When you expand your ability to sit with tough emotions — like fear of failure or the unknown — you show yourself it’s safe to act despite not having all the answers or any guarantees. You’re less likely to get stuck in procrastination and overthinking because you’re better at navigating through discomfort rather than avoiding it.

Over time, you’ll be less deterred by the potential for setbacks or criticism, which areoften the hidden reasons behind “I’ll wait.”

Try out a “now or never” rule for minor decisions. Give yourself just 30 seconds to make a call on everyday choices that don’t require much debate. Whether it’s deciding to share an idea in a meeting, sending a quick reply to an email, or even choosing where to grab lunch, practice making these decisions quickly without getting bogged down by analysis paralysis.

Make it a habit to put yourself in the path of discomfort on a regular basis, too. It doesn’t have to be a big leap — maybe try out new software that’s always seemed intimidating or help on a project that’s a little outside your usual scope. Even something as simple as initiating conversations with coworkers you don’t often speak to can count. 

As you get used to handling these micro-decisions and mini-challenges, you’ll find it much easier to banish “I’ll wait” and step up when opportunities come your way.

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