By Mujeebah Shittu, Omowumi Oyewumi & Sulyman Pakoyi

Nigerians are currently grappling with economic challenges, with the ripple effects of skyrocketing fuel prices, rising inflation, and a high cost of living that shows no sign of easing. The recent removal of fuel subsidies has exacerbated the situation, increasing the price of petrol to over ₦1000 per litre, further straining household budgets and transportation costs. Many Nigerians are struggling to adapt to these economic shifts, with salaries stagnant and job opportunities scarce.

In addition to economic challenges, Nigerians face a range of pressing social and infrastructural issues. Insecurity remains a significant concern, with incidents of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes disrupting daily life and displacing communities. The state of public infrastructure is dire, with frequent power outages, poorly maintained roads, and inadequate healthcare facilities affecting quality of life. Education also suffers due to insufficient funding, dilapidated schools, and recurring strikes by academic staff. Furthermore, corruption continues to hinder progress, while unemployment, gender inequality, and limited access to essential services exacerbate the hardships faced by millions of Nigerians.

The Weekend Hope spoke with some Nigerians to identify one thing they would urgently address if they were the President of the country. 

Abimbola Abdulawaris Adebayo

If given the opportunity to be President, I will bridge the interaction gap between the federal government and grassroots communities by strengthening local governments and redefining the Republican Constitution of 1963, which promotes direct interaction between the people and the government. This approach will ensure the effectiveness of benefits and governmental policies directly reaching the people, facilitate apt and poignant feedback from citizens, serve as a checks-and-balances mechanism for the government, and solidify the economic benefits of democracy.

Adams Kelvin

As a political scientist, if I were the President of Nigeria, our first priority, in collaboration with all branches of government, would be to make our nation self-reliant by maximising our natural resources. We would focus on harnessing agriculture, minerals, oil, and other local assets to drive sustainable development. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) would be empowered to thrive within a robust local market. This transformation would begin with government-led initiatives to create a self-sufficient, prosperous Nigeria, drawing inspiration from the economic growth witnessed in China, Japan, and other developed nations over the past decades.

Morufudeen Shittu

I will ensure that lives and property are protected, enabling people to farm and enhance agriculture for food production. This protection will foster a safe environment for improved teaching and learning, producing better professionals for institutions and industries. It will also guarantee free movement for individuals and transporters, discourage corruption among leaders in various capacities, and minimise criminal activities to the barest level.

Ajibade Toyeeb

As the President of Nigeria, I will strive to eliminate food hunger as much as possible. To achieve this, I will revitalise the agricultural sector, reduce importation, and increase exportation.

Kolawole Peter

The economy of Nigeria has dramatically declined since the inception of democratic governance. It is widely recognised that there are three primary reasons why Nigerians frequently resort to protests: food shortages, fuel price hikes, and delayed salary payments. These recurring issues consistently drive citizens to the streets to express their frustrations. As the President of Nigeria (PoN), it is imperative to address these critical national concerns. If these issues are properly managed and resolved, the public will no longer feel compelled to protest against the failures of the elected government.

Omoyele Sowore’s statement underscores the urgency for government action to restore the economy to a healthy state. He remarked, “Nigerians can’t have a secure future without a fight! It is practically impossible.” This reflects a growing perception that the government prioritises selfish interests over public welfare. I will ensure I reduce the fuel pump price, which will, in turn, lower the high cost of living. It is practically impossible to make food affordable if fuel costs for transporting goods remain high; therefore, a need for fuel subsidies arises. Additionally, limiting excessive powers within the Cabinet will make the system of checks and balances more efficient. The economy is not solely influenced by the President or governors but by other unnamed politicians occupying significant positions in government. Finally, consideration must be given to implementing a higher minimum wage to improve the standard of living for Nigerians

Ashi Dupe Mary

First and foremost, let us hail the almighty NEPA, or PHCN – may it bow! Yes, that elusive cabal that we’ve been hearing about for decades but which successive administrations have been unable to tame. I will work to break its hold. How will I achieve this? Simply by allowing full private sector participation. I would dismantle the current structure where the government arm of PHCN generates power and the private sector handles distribution. Constant electricity supply remains a dream in Nigeria because power generation is virtually non-existent, yet the government, or rather, the so-called cabal, refuses to relinquish its control over power generation. As a result, the private sector partners responsible for distribution have nothing to distribute

Elugwaraonu Onyedinma Maureen

As the current president of Nigeria, I would address the current state of the country by tackling security,economic instability.    Firstly, I would prioritize National Security by deploying a multi-faceted approach to address the various security challenges facing the country. This would involve increasing funding for the military and law enforcement agencies, while also implementing community-based initiatives to prevent radicalization and promote peace building

Blessing Orhu

If I was the current president of Nigeria, addressing the country’s challenges would require a clear and vivid vision, decisive action, and prioritizing the most pressing issues. Nigeria faces multifaceted problems, including insecurity, economic instability, corruption, unemployment, poor infrastructure, and an over-reliance on oil revenue. Below is an outline of how I would address the situation and the rationale behind these actions.

Firstly I’ll be addressing the issue of insecurity in our country ‘Nigeria.’

Insecurity is a major obstacle to economic development. Without security, progress in other areas cannot be sustained.

Farida Abdulmalik

If I have the opportunity to become the President of Nigeria, I would prioritize meaningful reforms to address the country’s pressing challenges. The removal of fuel subsidy, which was supposed to alleviate economic difficulties, has instead worsened the plight of ordinary Nigerians, with skyrocketing commodity prices and no tangible alternatives provided to combat poverty. Meanwhile, those in power continue to live in extravagant luxury, funded by the same struggling economy—a stark injustice that needs immediate correction.

Abdulkadir Abdulkareem If given the opportunity to serve as the President of Nigeria, my administration will focus on transformative reforms to address the nation’s pressing issues and improve the lives of its citizens. My priorities will include creating job opportunities by investing more in the agricultural sector, reforming the constitution to remove the House of Representatives, and expanding the Police Act to allow states to run their own police forces. These state police will be locally recruited, centrally trained, and centrally supervised, but will be fully answerable to and funded by the states

Shukurat Opeyemi

If given the opportunity to lead Nigeria as president, I will ensure that foodstuffs are sold at more affordable rates so that even the poor can benefit from them. This is because I feel that is the most important thing we need in this country.

Qs. Yahaya Alfa

If I am to become the president of Nigeria, I will first address the issue of fuel prices, as it is the primary factor driving the parabolic movement of the economy.