On President Bola Tinubu: Between Critique and Admiration

First, clarification and amplification: I have always maintained that the principle of no malice has guided me in my private and professional life. I am never going to deviate from that path.

As an Agnostic, I do not hold any belief that cannot be challenged or changed by new facts. As a writer, I am guided by dispassionate objectivity; I do not drag my beliefs and emotions into the issues I analyze.

Readers of this column would know I have been one of President Tinubu’s implacably harshest critics.

Of course, as president, he certainly will have more information than I do, but optics matter in politics and international affairs. Hence, my attacks on his foreign policies have tilted from one that has been anchored on solid African-centeredness into an embarrassingly pro-West posturing.

The spectacle of a Nigerian president kowtowing to Western leaders suggests a vassalage that is difficult to comprehend or swallow.

Nigeria should be leading the charge in building an African Civilizational Space.

It was not for nothing that until the politicians bastardized the country, Nigerians rightfully called their country “The Giant of Africa.”

To watch President Tinubu's bromance with an unreconstructed racist like France’s Macron was one nasty spectacle, especially at this critical time when Africans in the Sahel region are facing the greatest existential threat to their sovereignty orchestrated by France.

Those interested can check out the following articles and see what I have written about the Nigerian leader.

1. First, they came for Libya; Now they are gunning for Niger!: https://femi6a133.substack.com/p/first-they-came-for-libya-now-they
2. A public Appeal To President Tinubu: https://femi6a133.substack.com/p/a-public-appeal-to-president-tinubu
3. Why I think that Nigeria will not intervene in Niger [Expanded]: https://femi6a133.substack.com/p/why-i-think-that-nigeria-will-not
4. Some questions for President Tinubu: https://femi6a133.substack.com/p/some-questions-for-president-tinubu
5. A public Appeal To President Tinubu: https://femi6a133.substack.com/p/a-public-appeal-to-president-tinubu

Ok. With that under the belt, let’s tackle today’s issue.

In this article, I aim to abandon (for the time being) my criticisms of Tinubu’s foreign policies, focus on his domestic policies, explore the steps he has taken to re-engineer Nigeria’s federal structure, and highlight why these reforms - especially the recent Tax Bill—offer Nigeria a path to genuine economic revitalization.

I understand the economic anguish Nigerians are experiencing, but any objective analyst would understand and appreciate President Tinubu’s bold and transformative domestic policies.

I have often cited the lack of structures as the bane of Nigeria’s, make that Africa’s major problem. That explains why I found the IMF imposed Structural Adjustment Programmes such a fraud. There are simply no structures in place to begin with.

President Tinubu is acting like an architect who returns to the drawing board to redefine inherited structures with weak fundamentals.

The Yoruba people say that: Ilé ti à bà fi itọ̀ mọn, iri ni yió wó / It means that the house built with saliva will be felled by dew. Every Nigerian leader knew that there was something fundamentally wrong with the structure the military imposed on Nigeria after they intervened in 1966. Still, none of them dared to tamper with it. That was until Tinubu, who appeared to have come up with clear ideas about what he wanted to do to restore the original concept of Nigeria’s Federalism, was unperturbed in his quest to get the country back on track.

Tinubu has shown remarkable courage in confronting an entrenched system that benefits a select few at the expense of the majority.

Should these policies succeed, they will have a positive impact and transform Nigeria.

Let us examine some of them.
Back to our Roots Federalism
Tinubu has defied expectations, at least my expectations, and his willingness to challenge the status quo is admirable.

First, Tinubu has displayed remarkable courage in addressing Nigeria’s dysfunctional federal structure. His administration is the first to try to deconstruct Nigeria’s warped federal structure. This might make or mar his presidency, but it surely will define his legacy.

As pointed out above, Nigeria was founded on a true federal arrangement, where regions enjoyed autonomy and contributed to a central government.

However, successive military regimes centralized power and resources, effectively turning Nigeria into a unitary state and reducing the states to mere administrative appendages of the Federal government, creating an overly centralized and inefficient government.

Tinubu’s reforms mark a clear departure from this trajectory. Among his most notable steps is allocating funds directly to local governments, bypassing the state governments, which historically act as middlemen, often diverting or mismanaging these resources.

This policy, which the founding federal constitution envisaged, restores the autonomy of local governments, empowering them to implement development projects directly and cater to the needs of their communities since they are closest to ordinary citizens.

Naturally, entrenched forces, led by state Governors accustomed to wielding unchecked control over local government funds, have opposed it vehemently.

But Tinubu has remained steadfast, arguing that a functional federal system requires grassroots empowerment. The potential benefits for local development are undeniable. This policy has already yielded results, with several local governments reporting improved access to funds for community projects.

Another bold and commendable reform is Tinubu’s push to restructure revenue allocation between the federal and state governments. The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has been tasked with revising the revenue-sharing formula to reflect the principles of equity and fairness. This signals a commitment to addressing long-standing grievances about resource allocation. The Tinubu administration has advocated for states to take greater responsibility for generating and managing their resources - a return to fiscal federalism principles.

States like Lagos, which have demonstrated capacity for internally generated revenue, stand to benefit from this shift.

The decisive argument here is that the state governments, which have grown accustomed to receiving handouts from Abuja without making efforts to tap into their local potential, will become more innovative and self-reliant. If the resources of every state can be tapped and equitably shared, the whole federation will benefit.

In addition, Tinubu’s government has supported financial independence for state judiciaries and legislatures, allowing them to function without undue interference from state executives. Strengthening these two arms will boost democracy at the subnational level and enhance checks and balances.

Tinubu has also introduced measures to encourage states to generate and distribute electricity to overcome the notorious inefficiency of the country's electricity sector. This is a critical step toward solving Nigeria’s perennial power problem, which has crippled industries and hampered economic growth. Federal control has not only been wasteful and inefficient but also utterly corrupt.

Another bold initiative to revitalize Nigeria’s economy is the recent Tax Bill Tinubu sent to the legislature for approval. The bill seeks to simplify Nigeria’s complex tax system, broaden the tax base, and improve compliance. Its key provisions include:

- Strengthening the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS): Improved technology and staffing will enhance the agency’s capacity to collect taxes transparently and efficiently.

- Reduction in Corporate Tax Rates: Designed to attract foreign and domestic investors.

- Introduction of a Property Tax Aimed at increasing state-level revenue and encouraging the efficient use of urban land.

- Tax Incentives for SMEs: Small and medium enterprises, which form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, will benefit from reduced tax burdens and simplified filing processes.

The bill widens the tax net and reduces Nigeria’s reliance on oil revenue, setting the stage for a more sustainable economic future.

This is another bold move with undeniable long-term benefits, and citizens must support Tinubu in pushing it through parliament.

As one Nigerian commentator said, “Taxation is not an ethnic or religious matter; it is an economic imperative. Nigeria cannot continue to rely on oil revenue, a volatile and depleting resource, to fund its development. States must step up and generate their own revenue rather than depending on federal handouts. This reform, if properly implemented, could catalyze Nigeria’s transition to a diversified and self-reliant economy.”

In addition, Tinubu’s government has encouraged states to take greater responsibility for their economic development. Though initially unpopular, removing fuel subsidies was designed to free up resources for states and local governments to invest in critical infrastructure and social services. While the policy has sparked protests, it underscores Tinubu’s commitment to dismantling the rentier state model that has long plagued Nigeria.

It is still too early to make assessments and predictions, but Tinubus’s moves are bold and encouraging, and, more importantly, they are what the country needs to move forward.

Nigeria cannot afford to continue with failed policies. The federal structure, as it stands, is unsustainable. While imperfect and controversial, Tinubu’s bold steps toward deconstruction and reform offer a glimmer of hope.

However, to succeed, Tinubu must ensure that these reforms are implemented transparently and inclusively, avoiding the pitfalls of nepotism and sectionalism.

The path to a better Nigeria is prioritizing the nation’s interests above individual or sectional agendas. This path is fraught with challenges but is the only way forward.

Nigeria stands at a crossroads, with its strands struggling to pull apart. Our choices today will determine whether we continue to tread the path of mediocrity or rise to fulfill our immense potential.

The time for half-measures and political grandstanding is over. What Nigeria needs now is a commitment to bold, transformative action - and that is a legacy worth fighting for.

Although few pundits expected it, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tenure is shaping into one of the most consequential in Nigeria’s history. While his foreign policy decisions, marred by glaring missteps, leave much to be desired, his domestic reforms demonstrate a clear understanding of Nigeria’s structural challenges.

As a critic and observer, I will continue to hold his administration accountable. I commend his courage in tackling the root causes of Nigeria’s dysfunctional state. His bold reforms, particularly in federalism and taxation, can redefine Nigeria’s future.

Whether or not I like him, I must salute President Tinubu’s courage.

©️ Fẹ̀mi Akọ̀mọ̀‌làfẹ̀(Farmer, Writer, Published Author, Essayist, and Social Commentator.)

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