New York — Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Head of Transparency International (TI) Nigeria, has called for urgent reforms to tackle Nigeria’s economic, social, and security challenges.
He made the appeal during the launch of the 7th edition of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 ‘Shadow’ Report for 2024, which evaluates the country’s progress on critical targets aimed at promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.
The report, launched on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, reviews Nigeria’s performance on SDG Targets 16.4, 16.5, and 16.10, which focus on reducing organized crime, curbing corruption, and enhancing public access to information. While acknowledging some progress, Rafsanjani stressed that the road ahead remains challenging, warning that failure to address these issues would jeopardize Nigeria’s ability to meet its SDG commitments by 2030.
Economic Crisis and Public Distrust
Nigeria’s economic difficulties took center stage in Rafsanjani’s address. Inflation hit a 28-year high in June 2024, worsening the cost-of-living crisis for millions of Nigerians, he noted. He attributed much of this hardship to the removal of fuel subsidies, which has further plunged many citizens into poverty. While the government has urged Nigerians to remain patient with its reforms, Rafsanjani criticized its mixed messaging, pointing to the ₦150 billion spent on a presidential jet and the ₦21 billion used to commission a vice-presidential residence as examples of mismanagement. Such actions, he said, have deepened public distrust in the government.
Mounting Debt and Fiscal Imbalances
Rafsanjani also raised concerns about Nigeria’s growing debt crisis, revealing that the country’s 2023 budget deficit stood at ₦13.50 trillion. He noted that while the government generated ₦5.99 trillion in revenue, it spent ₦19.50 trillion, with 70% of the revenue going toward debt servicing. These fiscal imbalances, he warned, present a major obstacle to achieving sustainable development.
Insecurity and Organized Crime Surge
The report also highlighted Nigeria’s worsening security situation, with organized crime on the rise. In 2023, over 4,400 people were kidnapped in 227 mass abductions. Despite an increased defense budget, Rafsanjani stressed that corruption within security agencies has hindered progress in combating crime, eroding public confidence in the government’s ability to ensure safety.
Crackdown on Protests and Free Speech
The issue of human rights also featured prominently in Rafsanjani’s speech. He expressed concern over the suppression of free speech and civic space, referencing the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, during which at least 21 protesters were killed and over 1,000 arrested. Journalists also faced intimidation and harassment during the protests. Rafsanjani warned that these actions are incompatible with the values of SDG 16, which promotes access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms.
Recommendations for Reforms
The report proposed several recommendations aimed at addressing the challenges highlighted:
- Strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms within the security sector.
- Enhancing interagency collaboration and intelligence sharing to combat organized crime.
- Investing in community-based policing initiatives.
- Improving fiscal transparency and accountability.
- Strengthening legislative oversight on government expenditures.
- Implementing beneficial ownership transparency to fight corruption.
- Enforcing campaign finance regulations to ensure transparency in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
- Protecting press freedom and improving public access to information.
Role of Civil Society
Rafsanjani emphasized the important role civil society organizations play in holding the government accountable. He reaffirmed CISLAC’s commitment to working with stakeholders to implement the necessary reforms to achieve SDG 16.
Call for Action
Rafsanjani concluded by urging the Nigerian government to take bold steps to address the country’s challenges, stating, “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 will require bold reforms, increased transparency, and a renewed commitment to building strong, accountable institutions.”
CISLAC’s 2024 SDG 16 ‘Shadow’ Report serves as a wake-up call for the Nigerian government to address these pressing issues and move towards a more peaceful, just, and prosperous nation.
