A former Head of the Federal Civil Service, Alhaji Babatunde Tajudeen Rotinwa, has warned that Nigeria's economic growth will have little significance if workers continue to struggle to afford basic necessities. He made this statement in an interview to herald Nigeria's 66th anniversary. Rotinwa emphasized that economic policies and reforms should be accompanied by measures that enable a significant proportion of working Nigerians to benefit from the additional revenue generated. This, he believes, is crucial for improving living conditions.
Rotinwa argued that the objective should go beyond salary increases to creating conditions that enable workers to maintain a decent standard of living. He noted that the rising cost of essential goods and services continues to put pressure on household incomes. To address this, Rotinwa identified regular payment of pensions, affordable transportation, accessible healthcare, food security, and social protection as key areas requiring government attention. These measures, he believes, will help alleviate the financial burden on workers.
The rising cost of living has created a widening gap between wages and the cost of essential goods and services, making it necessary for the government to focus on measures that improve workers' purchasing power. Rotinwa cited the example of a permanent secretary who cannot afford a new car, with a used one costing N30 million. He emphasized that public transportation is one area where government intervention could significantly reduce the financial burden on workers.
Rotinwa advocated for stronger healthcare and social protection measures to cushion the impact of rising living costs. He also urged the government to closely monitor the production and availability of essential commodities, including wheat, rice, and beans, while addressing supply gaps that could further drive up prices. This, he believes, will help ensure food security and stabilize prices.
The former Head of the Federal Civil Service also called for greater attention to the needs of low-income Nigerians in government housing and development programmes. He emphasized that public policies should reflect the circumstances and priorities of the majority of citizens. According to Rotinwa, government planning should begin with consultation to identify the needs of citizens and ensure that available resources are channeled to priorities with the greatest impact.
Rotinwa further advocated for improved revenue generation at the local government level, particularly from markets and motor parks. He believes that such revenues could help fund salaries and essential public services. Additionally, he urged public officials to plan beyond immediate political and administrative priorities by taking inflation, maintenance costs, and future demands into consideration.
Rotinwa concluded by emphasizing that growth that does not reward the populace is not an answer. He warned that if pension payments do not come, and affordable transportation and healthcare are perpetually postponed, public servants will go to the grave feeling abandoned. The government, he believes, must prioritize the needs of its citizens to ensure that economic growth translates into improved living conditions.
Key points
- Economic growth must be accompanied by measures that enable workers to afford basic necessities.
- Government intervention in public transportation and healthcare can significantly reduce the financial burden on workers.
- Public policies should reflect the circumstances and priorities of the majority of citizens.
