Troubled by widespread persistent socio-economic issues recorded across the country last year, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria has urged the federal government to adopt swift and comprehensive measures to address these challenges in order to meet growing expectations.
The rights group gave the admonition in a statement signed by Executive Director Awwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani).
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria noted that macroeconomic policies implemented in 2024 adversely affected Nigerians’ standard of living, financial stability, and purchasing power. Highlighting the rising cost of governance, the organization criticized excessive expenditures and inefficiencies, including the lack of implementation of the Orosanye Report’s recommendations to reduce governance costs. Such wasteful practices, it stated, divert funds from critical sectors necessary for national development.
The group emphasized the urgent need to tackle insecurity, which continues to destabilize communities and discourage investments. It called for increased funding and reforms in national security, including adopting international best practices in intelligence gathering and strengthening inter-agency cooperation. Recommendations included implementing Early Warning/Early Response systems, improving recruitment processes, and enhancing police and civil defense personnel remuneration to boost motivation and effectiveness.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria also stressed the importance of constitutional amendments, political party reforms, and judicial overhauls to address inefficiencies and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy. It highlighted the need for an independent judiciary and a transparent electoral system to foster accountability and ensure a governance structure that reflects the aspirations of all Nigerians.
The organization drew attention to the growing threat of terrorism financing, citing the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, which ranked Nigeria among the top ten countries most affected by terrorism. Weak border security, it said, has allowed the unchecked flow of terrorists, arms, and illicit funds. It called for stricter financial regulations and enhanced anti-corruption measures to curb these activities.
While applauding the 2024 Supreme Court ruling against the mismanagement of local government funds by state governors, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria advocated for constitutional reforms to ensure financial and administrative autonomy for local governments, enabling them to drive grassroots development effectively.
On anti-corruption efforts, the organization urged the government to reaffirm its commitment to the operational and financial independence of agencies like the EFCC, ICPC, and CCB. It emphasized the full implementation of anti-corruption laws, including the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, to improve Nigeria’s standing internationally.
To revamp the economy, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria called for a comprehensive economic blueprint, emphasizing diversification through public-private partnerships in agriculture and industry. It urged the Executive and Legislature to collaborate on sustainable policies to address the nation’s socio-economic challenges.
The statement, signed by Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, concluded with a call for the government to prioritize transparency, security, and development in the new year.