As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) and The Electoral Hub have urged the Federal Government to prioritize the implementation of reforms. The Director of The Electoral Hub, Princess Abijah Hamman-Obels, made the call in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja. Obels emphasized that Nigerians want a country defined not only by government promises, but by what government institutions deliver.
Obels noted that at 66, Nigeria has a history worth honouring and a future that requires collective responsibility. She recognized the millions of Nigerians who continue to work every day for a country where freedom has meaning in their everyday lives. The Federal Government’s theme, ‘From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity,’ calls for more than reform as an announcement.
According to Obels, stability is not simply the absence of crisis, but the presence of functioning institutions, economic opportunity, security, justice, inclusion, accountability, and public trust. She emphasized that independence gave Nigerians the freedom to determine their future, while reforms give them the tools to shape it, and implementation turns those tools into results.
As part of its recommendations, Obels urged the Federal Government to strengthen oversight and implementation of reforms. This call places responsibility on key institutions, including the National Assembly, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), state and local governments, as well as security and justice institutions, to ensure that approved reforms translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
Obels emphasized that the National Assembly should strengthen its oversight role by tracking the enforcement of laws, scrutinising public expenditure, and demanding performance reports from MDAs. The National Assembly should also identify and address institutional or legislative barriers that prevent approved reforms from delivering their intended results.
For MDAs, Obels stressed the importance of making implementation measurable and citizen-focused. Major reforms should be supported by clear delivery plans identifying the responsible institutions, funding arrangements, timelines, and measurable outcomes. This would enable citizens to track government commitments and determine what has been delivered and what remains outstanding.
Obels also highlighted the roles of state and local governments, security and justice institutions, and economic institutions in ensuring that reforms translate into improved living conditions for households and greater opportunities for businesses. Key priorities include productive employment, reliable and affordable infrastructure, business growth, food security, and improved household welfare.
Key points
- IRIAD and The Electoral Hub are calling for a renewed commitment to moving from reforms to results and implementation in Nigeria.
- The Federal Government’s theme for Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary is ‘From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity.’
- Implementation of reforms requires the involvement of key institutions, including the National Assembly, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), state and local governments, as well as security and justice institutions.
