Those who think and believe that Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian president will improve his country’s economy by creating jobs and reducing poverty, will remain in the eternal wish, as that will not happen under him.
President Tinubu makes no pretense about his alignment with the neo-liberal model of development.
His policies support a naked neo-liberal capitalist system. And the economists and free market fundamentalists have continued to hail him as a man with the big balls to have followed that path.
But, here is the big issue the market fundamentalists and neo-liberal propagandists are not telling Tinubu. They have refused to tell him the bitter truth that Neoliberalism only favours and pushes for more markets and cares less about governance.
The trouble with the economists that propagate market fundamentalists using the neo-liberal model is that they imagine in their heads that economics is a science that does not need the application of common sense. They believe that an advanced capitalist system in the guise of a neoliberal model is a magic solution to building economic viability without consideration of peculiar circumstances of applicability.
Tinubu’s economic policies that are capitalist driven, that allow decisions to be made by private individuals who are comprador bourgeoisie and firms, cannot provide a platform that will build a viable economy that will reduce poverty and inequality, NO, it will not. This is solely because the basic laws of capitalism are profit-making maximization and exploitation. Capitalism which the Tinubu government favours has no place for citizens’ welfare, it’s all about the market and profits.
China’s economic success has since proven the neoliberal model to be faulty thinking as a model for economic growth and development. China followed an orthodoxy model that defied the neoliberal market fundamentalist prescription. Yes, China embraced markets but did not copy them from the standpoint of the neoliberal prescription.
Although China took from the market incentive which the neoliberal favours, she did so through radical reforms and unusual institutional tinkering within her local context. Rather than allow the state to private ownership the neoliberal favours, she relied on mixed reforms that allowed for citizens’ empowerment that triggered entrepreneurial development.
In the 1980s, China in the pursuit of viable economic reform, introduced Township and Village Enterprises (TVEs) which allow for collective ownership and control of enterprises by the local governments. The TVEs were publicly owned, and the local governments had a direct stake in profit and control.
Tinubu government must learn from China. The country protected its large state sector from global competition, China put in place exceptional economic zones where foreign companies could function with different guidelines than in the rest of her economy. Considering China’s action regarding the neoliberal prescription, it would be a deliberate distortion of intellectual fact to say China relied on the neoliberal model to build a viable economy she enjoys and now projects itself as a global economy giant.
Tinubu and his team must come to terms that China and countries that have built viable competitive economies did that within their local context and not by embracing the neoliberal model. The facts are there for us to see, countries whose leaders violate local context and initiative and embrace neoliberalism have their economy shattered with high rates of poverty and inequality.
What Tinubu and his team have since failed to understand and acknowledge is that economics is not abstract, but principally common-sense principles. They think what they are doing is creating an atmosphere for economic growth. But, they fail to understand that progress in economics is based on the application of economic logic within the local context that serves the targeted beneficiaries, largely the majority of the citizens.
The neoliberal propagandists who are making those in political power think market and forget governance, often think they have a common solution to all economic challenges. They failed to understand that we have different approaches depending on the nature of the problem at hand. For instance, those traveling on motorbikes, need a map for bike trails, those on foot need a map for footpaths and those on airplanes need a flight compass. Therefore, prescribing a neoliberal model for an economy like Nigeria with a huge number of poor citizens and a lack of basic amenities is a mere abstract that has no economic sense.
Tinubu and his team may be good at making policies and choosing economic models, but unfortunately, they are not good at choosing one that is most appropriate for the problem at hand. Their neoliberal laissez-faire approach is not relevant to the current Nigerian economic reality and challenge. Economics is not the science of thinking in terms of models as opined by John Maynard. It is the application of common sense and principles within the context of the problem that needs to be solved in a particular society.
The economic debates of Tinubu and his team, their enthusiasm for free markets, and their less concern about governance is a simple defilement of development logic that will not improve the economy but rather breed poverty and frustration among the citizens.
What the pro-market fundamentalists will not tell Tinubu is that countries that have built viable economies by creating sustainable jobs, did that by violating the neoliberal structures. Pointer examples are South Korea and Taiwan. Both countries had committed their huge resources to subsidizing exports. A system neoliberal disallows.
If Tinubu and his team think the neoliberal model that favours markets and discourages governance is the way to go, they should please study Chile’s example. Chile’s neoliberal experiment produced the worst economic crisis in all of Latin America.
Clearly, Tinubu is not wrong in his belief that Nigeria will be better when its economy is vibrant, strong, and growing. He is only wrong in his believe that the neoliberal model is a unique solution that must be applied across all countries. The fatal flaw of neoliberalism is that it does not even get the economics right. Nigerians must reject the neoliberal model for the simple reason that it is bad economics that will not allow for poverty reduction and better citizens’ welfare.
Audu liberty Oseni is Coordinator of the Media Advocacy West Africa Foundation (MAWA – Foundation) and can be reached on libertydgreat@gmail.com
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disowned a woman, Taiwo Martins, who claim to be his wife even as he admitted that she had two children for him. “For the records, Ms. Martins has two children, Jonwo and Bunmi, for Chief Obasanjo but to say emphatically that she is not his wife nor a member of the Obasanjo family. “Her posturing as Chief Obasanjo’s wife is false and that of an impostor.” Obasanjo was reacting to Taiwo’s reported apology to Yoruba traditional rulers over the way Obasanjo spoke to them in Oyo State, ordering them to stand up and sit down. The occasion the commissioning of projects in Iseyin in Oyo State by the state Governor, Seyi Makinde. Reacting to the apology on his behalf by Taiwo Obasanjo described her as an impostor. A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, today, September 18, said: “the attention of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has been drawn to a statement purported to be issued by a wife of the President with the photograph of one Ms. Taiwo Martins as the author of the statement. “Nobody makes statement on behalf of the Obasanjo family except Chief Obasanjo or people delegated by him to do so. “It must be noted that the state of health of Ms. Martins is known to all and sundry and whatever she says or does has nothing to do with Chief Obasanjo as an individual or the Obasanjo family as a whole. “However, the former President has affirmed that he stood firmly, unapologetically and uncompromisingly on the position that the Governor of a State holds the highest office in the State. “By that position, the respect, protocol and dignity that must be given to the office by virtue of the Constitution must not be denied. To do otherwise is to deride the office and the Constitution.”
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has kicked off activities for the third edition of its Talent Hunt Research through Hackathon to give expression to its Strategic Vision Plan 2023-2025. It is aimed at encouraging the development of new technologies and indigenous content through cutting-edge research. A statement by the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka said that the goal of the initiative is to stimulate sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria. He announced that the Commission is inviting Tech Hubs and Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs) in Nigeria to enrol their start-ups and their solutions in the Talent Hunt Research through a Hackathon organised by NCC. He said that the Hackathon focuses on Blockchain-enabled Data Protection Solutions for Enhancing Regulatory Compliance; Assistive Technology Solutions for the Elderly and People with Disabilities; and Technology Solutions for Renewable Energy in Rural Areas. Muoka said that the NCC Talent Hunt Research Through Hackathon leverages Emerging Digital Technologies to facilitate the development of home-grown innovative solutions and local content development in the telecommunications sector while fostering economic growth and social advancement in Nigeria. He said that the competition would enable the translation of novel ideas into the development of hardware/software solutions that address industry and societal challenges. “The best three solutions, one from each of the three areas listed above will receive grants of N10 million each for the development of the solutions. “The Commission has set out eligibility criteria for those seeking to participate in the competition, which include that the Enterprise must provide a certificate of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Enterprise must not have previously received support from the Commission, the project should have clear relevance to one of the three thematic areas above, it must provide a clear problem statement, proposed solution, and roadmap to deployment. “Other requirements include a proof of concept (which may also include technical feasibility of the idea with diagram, algorithm, existing models, or case studies; the solution must be novel with the applicant making a declarative statement on ownership of the intellectual property, the solution including prototype development shall be concluded within six months of receipt of the Grant and must propose a detailed commercialization plan of the prototype. “The Entry Submission format indicated that the proposal must include ideation, “Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and solution, Current Sweat Equity Investment, Product-Market Fit status, Verifiable Go-to-Market status, Growth Feasibility Assurances, Maturity Model and Timeliness and existing time: Disaster Recovery, where applicable “All applications should be made online and must follow the stipulated entry format and there is no financial cost to participating in the competition while full control and ownership of the intellectual property of the developed solutions remain with the Commission. “The entries must be made by a Tech Hub/Innovation-Driven Enterprise that must show evidence of the relationship with the Start-up/solution being entered, a 4-page Executive summary of the project concept, a 3-5 minute video of the pilot project, names, age, contact details, passport photos and profile of all team members and the website (if available) as well as an E-mail address of the applicant. “All interested and qualified enterprises should submit requested documents in a zip folder to https://ncc.gov.ng/talenthuntresearchhackathon2023 with the subject of the mail titled “Submission from ” and the zipped file named after the business.” Muoka said that application closes by Friday, 22nd September 2023.
The British government has announced that starting from October 4, 2023, the new student visa fee for international students, including those from Nigeria will be £490 (equivalent to N409,640.00), an increase of 34.99 percent.
The UK Home Office, which made the announcement, cited the need to finance essential services and allocate more funds for public sector pay increases. This increase coincides with the laying of legislation in Parliament on September 15. The adjustments also affect visit visa fees for stays of fewer than six months, rising by £15 to £115.
The statement said that the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will surge by £127 to match the £490 charged for in-country applications.
It said that this development came after the Government’s previouse announcement in July, which saw a 15 percent increase in the cost of most work and visit visas and a minimum 20 percent hike in priority visas, study visas, and certificates of sponsorship.
The UK Home Office emphasised that the revenue generated from these fees would play a crucial role in sustaining the immigration and nationality system.
The fee structure, according to the government, is aimed at minimizing the financial burden on British taxpayers while ensuring an attractive service for those seeking opportunities in the UK. In recent years, the UK has become a prominent immigration destination for Nigerians, with data from the UK immigration office showing a remarkable 73 percent increase in Nigerian nationals, rising from 33,958 in June 2022 to 58,680 in June 2023.
Also, the United Kingdom has introduced new travel requirements for individuals wishing to enter the country, including Nigerians and other non-British and non-Irish nationals. Effective from November 15, 2023, all travellers must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), including children.
This means that anyone applying for a UK visa must obtain an ETA card before entering or transiting through the country. ETA applicants, including those on visits shorter than six months, business travelers, tourists, and those visiting family and friends, must apply online before making travel plans.
Once granted, an ETA is valid for multiple journeys over two years or until the expiry date of the applicant’s passport. Travelers with valid visas may not be allowed to board without a valid ETA, as the ETA is digitally linked to their passports.
If you were previously eligible to visit the UK without a visa and not already legally resident in the UK, you will now require an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for stays shorter than six months, encompassing tourism, visiting family and friends, transit, business, and short-term study.
However, an ETA only grants permission to travel to the UK, and travellers must still go through passport control at the border for entry.
It is essential to use the same passport for both ETA application and entry and ensure the passport is valid for the entire stay.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has escaped air mishap as the aircraft he was travelling in developed some engine problems and was quickly stopped from flying.
The governor’s spokesman, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, confirmed the incident today, September 17, admitting that the Governor was involved in it.
He said that “the near fatal incident was averted shortly after boarding and less than two minutes after the commencement of taxing on the tarmac.
“An early warning noise from the engines immediately prompted the pilots to direct the evacuation of the passengers. Everything happened within five minutes.
“Early reports from the internal investigation indicated sabotage. But the authorities, locally and internationally, are still investigating the incident.
“We however want to assure the public that Governor Adeleke and his aides are safe and there was no injury or any outward explosion on the plane.
The governor’s spokesman said that there are strong indications that the two aircraft engines were tampered with before boarding.
Rasheed said that the highly technically equipped aircraft was well maintained with the best technical crew and was never an unused platform where birds could build nests.
“Contrary to the claim by the hanger owner that birds’ nests caused the incident, birds’ nests are made with straws not bidding wires as in this case.”
The spokesman said that Governor Adeleke has expressed his deep appreciation to well wishers and supporters, who have been calling since the report of the incident, adding: “Mr. Governor is hale and hearty.”
In the 80s, ‘’resistance to oppression’’ governed the zeitgeist. Reggae music was hugely popular. It resonated with the yearnings of the people for freedom from autocracy, domination, and oppression. Reggae was the conduit for social expression; it was the euphonious channel for agitation and for resisting the ‘’sistem’’.
The Mandators evoked the spirit of the times with the ‘’Crisis’’ album. The album had hits such as Rat Race and Inflation. Majek Fashek spoke for a generation with the album – Prisoner of Conscience. And Orits Williki with the album – Tribulation. There were many others in that league.
There was purpose to music. There was logic — not only symphony. There was a method. And there was message — not only melody.
At the time when the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) exercised near monopoly over terrestrial broadcasting, young people had very limited options for degenerative entertainment. Nudity, drugs, and violence which are today ubiquitous digital divertissements, were uncommon in music videos. There was diligent censorship. And lyrics of songs were sanitised.
There was progressive cultural conditioning and value adaptation. Funmi Adams’ ‘’Nigeria my beloved country’’ was every youngster’s anthem. And she reminded the young of the primacy of education in ‘’Bata mi a dun koko ka’’.
Today, the values and innocence of old have volatilised. All gone. Nudity, drugs, and violence are the very enhancing contents for music videos. The lyrics of songs are heavily sexualised — with themes around drugs, and violence. Pornography is buffet – available on social platforms – and intruding when unsolicited.
Songs and skits promoting drugs, sex, cultism, and violence populate the digital biome. Youngsters are in a tournament of the grotesque over who has the most depraved sex tape.
A lack of values, insolence, indiscipline, recklessness, and debauchery is the new conditioning. It is the zeitgeist. It will get worse.
What is the way forward?
The youth will need new creative distractions. It is a tall order. Sex and the ridiculous sell. Nuisance value has become rewarding. Notoriety is now fame, and the despicable now celebrated. Supplanting the current order will take an evolutionary displacement. The times will eventually change – either for good or for bad – as it is with every social progression.
But what needs to be done in the immediate is for agencies saddled with the responsibility of sanitising public contents and of promoting national values to be alive to their responsibility. Entertainers promoting drugs, cultism and violence should be made to face the law. There should be stern reprimand for the promotion of tendencies capable of inducing crime and violence. These entertainers should not be ambassadors to national causes or set as examples to the youth. That is rewarding bad behaviour.
As a society, there should be premium for discipline, hard work, real value, and integrity. We must de-emphasise the culture of profligacy, decadent opulence, and vanity which fuels the trafficking in libertinism.
The need for value re-orientation and new socialisation is a task that must be actuated by – citizens, groups, government, traditional institutions, the media, and all concerned members of society.
The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) has described the Climate Agenda of the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke as “an unprecedented model for subnational entities in Nigeria.” The Director General of the Council, Dr. Salisu Dahiru, who made the observation when he received a delegation of the Governor’s Climate Advisory Council in his Abuja office, further commended the governor for being a leading climate champion among others, through the initiation of a far reaching climate agenda within the federation. “We have read a lot about Mr Governor’s love for climate action. His agenda on climate change is first of its kind among Nigerian states. Now we have details of the agenda presented to us here. “To imagine that the Governor embarked on these landmark plans without pressure or advocacy from outside shows he has the political will to support climate action. The Council is more than ready to partner with Osun state. “We will offer technical support for the state to realize listed climate projects. We will recommend Osun to development partners as a state that is ready for climate adaptation and resilience actions.” Earlier, the leader of Osun Climate delegation and Chairman of the State Climate Advisory Council, Mallam Olawale Rasheed delivered the message of Governor Adeleke to the National Council, reiterating the state’s resolve to play a frontline role in the fight against climate change. “Governor Adeleke extends his warm appreciation for the great job the national council is doing and seeks close partnership for Osun to realize her climate goals. “In demonstration of his political will, Mr Governor set up a climate advisory council and also appointed an SSA on Climate Change. The Council has in turn developed an elaborate agenda which covers a broad spectrum of the climate ecosystem. “We seek partnership for the implementation of the following projects namely establishment of Climate Innovation Hub; creation of a Climate Data Centre at the Osun State University; making of Osun State Climate action policy; introduction of climate mainstreaming agenda in all government agencies; development and release of State Annual Climate Report. Others are the launching of “one house, one tree project” across Osun State; Strategic Reforestation programmes in 8 local governments; Wetland preservation project in 6 local governments; Agricultural adaptation Climate livelihood programme; Circular economy projects including plastic recycling plants ; and Climate Television Advocacy programme among others. The advisory council Chairman was accompanied by the Commissioner for Federal Matters, Mrs. Nike Adeleke; SSA on Climate Change, Adedapo Moruf , Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, S. Olawuni and two directors from the ministry.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Africa Indorama Energy Petrochemical Ltd. to supply 800 million scuff of gas to promote industrialisation in Nigeria.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari, who made this known during the signing of the MoU in Abuja today, September 17, said that the aim of the MoU was to ensure that Nigeria’s abundant gas resources are harnessed.
According to him, the project is expected to contribute common revenue of 3.8 billion dollars annually to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and up to 18 billion dollars in its lifecycle.
He said that the project would boost downstream production of about 4.8 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of products including methanol, urea, and fertiliser.
Mele said that it would also create about 55,000 jobs, develop a condensate refinery to boost petroleum product supply and reduce product importation.
He expressed satisfaction with the commitment of Indorama, which would invest at least seven billion dollars in the project at the initial stage.
He said that President Bola Tinubu’s directive was very clear and also aligned with the determination of NNPCL to ensure delivery on its gasification project. “Because gas is available, we must make it available so that industries can come up; power and resources can be created, ultimately employment can be created and economy will boom.
“There is a huge connection between harnessing gas resources and this.
“My team and I will do everything possible to deliver this huge project.”
According Mele, Nigeria is on the threshold of getting value out of gas, and NNPC is currently pursuing many large scale gas projects with the determination to achieve progress.
The Managing Director and CEO of Indorama, Manish Mundara, said that the company had proven track record in partnerships with NNPC for over 16 years.
He asaid that the two of them had worked together in petrochemicals and fertiliser, and that the strategic collaboration had delivered world class projects.
“Nigeria’s gas reserves and its strategic location should position it as one of the largest producers of urea, ammonia, methanol and petrochemicals polymers.
“While we are working together on gas resources, we will partner the downstream and invest in at least two more lines of fertiliser, two lines of methanol and one big petrochemical project, among others.
“This will make Nigeria one of the largest producers of urea in Africa and the Western Hemisphere.
“The ball is rolling now, it’s our responsibility to work together and distribute benefits of industrialisation.”
Earlier, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer in NNPCL Upstream Investment Management Service (NUIMS), Bala Wunti said that the scope of the MoU involved assurance for gas delivery to meet the gas based industry. “Overall, we anticipate that at the peak of the project, about 800 million scope of gas will be made available for domestic use, part of which will be used to provide the needed quantity of gas by Indorama.
“And the balance will be supplied to the domestic market to meet power demand, commercial and other activities, particularly in the eastern part of the country.”
The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, has expressed anger and shock over the action of the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo for ordering the traditional rulers at a function to stand up and honour him. He also blamed the Obas for obeying Obasanjo because they belong to secret societies. In a statement by his press secretary today, September 16, Oluwo described Obasanjo’s display as condemnable, saying it was an affront, desecration and sacrilege against revered stools of Yorubaland. “An injury to one is an injury to all. Yoruba traditional rulers are not uniform men anyone can command at will. “I don’t blame him; those royal fathers who stood up to obey such an embarrassing direction are to be blamed. “Yoruba traditional institutions demand an apology for the open desecration to molest and bring down the institution. He needs to prove himself as a core Yoruba man with an apology letter. “Kings are not toddlers. We are fathers. He will never dare that against the Northern Emirs.” He said that Obasanjo’s action should be a great challenge to Yoruba, most especially the royal fathers. “This is the result when monarchs joined Ogboni confraternity and became junior to a road side mechanical engineer or carpenter. As a responsible monarch, you don’t have to join any secret society where you may be controlled by a teacher or even a herbalist.” “I trust myself and my stool. At death, there are certain things my soul will not take let alone when alive, active and kicking. I only blame the monarchs who stood in obeisance to such an ignoble and desecrating of traditional institutions from the old man. Respect should be earned not demanded. “Traditional rulers respect their subjects too. There is a way respect is accorded to people of old age and position by monarchs. Kingship is an institution of God. As such, relating with kings requires a high sense of modesty, courtesy and respect.” On Friday, Obasanjo, at the opening of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources in Iseyin, Oyo State, thundered at the monarchs to stand up to honour him as he mounted the podium to speak.
A United Arab Emirates (UAE) official has made it clear that visa ban imposed on Nigerian travelers has not been lifted.
According to CNN, the official from the Gulf state disclosed this in a chat
The source, who asked not to be named was quoted as saying: “there are no changes on the Nigeria/UAE travel status so far.”
The Nigerian Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, had claimed that the visa ban was lifted after President Bola Tinubu met with Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, his UAE counterpart, on Monday.
In a statement issued after the meeting, Ajuri had said: “President Bola Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, have finalised a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers.
“Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.”
But the UAE authorities were silent on these issues in a statement they issued after the meeting, fueling suspicion among Nigerians.
In its statement, the Middle East country said Nigeria and the UAE would work together to reinforce their ties and explore opportunities for further bilateral collaborations.
Apparently reacting to the controversy created by his initial comment, Ngelale had said that officials from both countries needed more time to finalise agreement details, a pure contradiction of his previous statement that the issue had been resolved.
“Given the agreement struck between the two Heads of State, there is need to allow cabinet officials from both sides to work out the finer details and finalize the cross-sectoral agreements,” he said, adding that “Everyone can now allow the process to work itself out organically, devoid of speculation.”
Asked to react to the visa ban and flight resumption issue during the Aviation Africa Summit in Abuja on Thursday, Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said there was no timeframe.
He had said: “So, we are beginning to work out all the tiny details. I have met with Emirate before I left UAE, and we are working out the details. We cannot say the time frame. Kicking off an airline operation again on a route, does not mean you will go and grab one empty plane sitting in a place.”
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Tinubu’s Neo-Liberalism Cannot Reduce Poverty In Nigeria, By Audu Oseni
President Tinubu makes no pretense about his alignment with the neo-liberal model of development.
His policies support a naked neo-liberal capitalist system. And the economists and free market fundamentalists have continued to hail him as a man with the big balls to have followed that path.
But, here is the big issue the market fundamentalists and neo-liberal propagandists are not telling Tinubu. They have refused to tell him the bitter truth that Neoliberalism only favours and pushes for more markets and cares less about governance.
The trouble with the economists that propagate market fundamentalists using the neo-liberal model is that they imagine in their heads that economics is a science that does not need the application of common sense. They believe that an advanced capitalist system in the guise of a neoliberal model is a magic solution to building economic viability without consideration of peculiar circumstances of applicability.
Tinubu’s economic policies that are capitalist driven, that allow decisions to be made by private individuals who are comprador bourgeoisie and firms, cannot provide a platform that will build a viable economy that will reduce poverty and inequality, NO, it will not. This is solely because the basic laws of capitalism are profit-making maximization and exploitation. Capitalism which the Tinubu government favours has no place for citizens’ welfare, it’s all about the market and profits.
China’s economic success has since proven the neoliberal model to be faulty thinking as a model for economic growth and development. China followed an orthodoxy model that defied the neoliberal market fundamentalist prescription. Yes, China embraced markets but did not copy them from the standpoint of the neoliberal prescription.
Although China took from the market incentive which the neoliberal favours, she did so through radical reforms and unusual institutional tinkering within her local context. Rather than allow the state to private ownership the neoliberal favours, she relied on mixed reforms that allowed for citizens’ empowerment that triggered entrepreneurial development.
In the 1980s, China in the pursuit of viable economic reform, introduced Township and Village Enterprises (TVEs) which allow for collective ownership and control of enterprises by the local governments. The TVEs were publicly owned, and the local governments had a direct stake in profit and control.
Tinubu government must learn from China. The country protected its large state sector from global competition, China put in place exceptional economic zones where foreign companies could function with different guidelines than in the rest of her economy. Considering China’s action regarding the neoliberal prescription, it would be a deliberate distortion of intellectual fact to say China relied on the neoliberal model to build a viable economy she enjoys and now projects itself as a global economy giant.
Tinubu and his team must come to terms that China and countries that have built viable competitive economies did that within their local context and not by embracing the neoliberal model. The facts are there for us to see, countries whose leaders violate local context and initiative and embrace neoliberalism have their economy shattered with high rates of poverty and inequality.
What Tinubu and his team have since failed to understand and acknowledge is that economics is not abstract, but principally common-sense principles. They think what they are doing is creating an atmosphere for economic growth. But, they fail to understand that progress in economics is based on the application of economic logic within the local context that serves the targeted beneficiaries, largely the majority of the citizens.
The neoliberal propagandists who are making those in political power think market and forget governance, often think they have a common solution to all economic challenges. They failed to understand that we have different approaches depending on the nature of the problem at hand. For instance, those traveling on motorbikes, need a map for bike trails, those on foot need a map for footpaths and those on airplanes need a flight compass. Therefore, prescribing a neoliberal model for an economy like Nigeria with a huge number of poor citizens and a lack of basic amenities is a mere abstract that has no economic sense.
Tinubu and his team may be good at making policies and choosing economic models, but unfortunately, they are not good at choosing one that is most appropriate for the problem at hand. Their neoliberal laissez-faire approach is not relevant to the current Nigerian economic reality and challenge. Economics is not the science of thinking in terms of models as opined by John Maynard. It is the application of common sense and principles within the context of the problem that needs to be solved in a particular society.
The economic debates of Tinubu and his team, their enthusiasm for free markets, and their less concern about governance is a simple defilement of development logic that will not improve the economy but rather breed poverty and frustration among the citizens.
What the pro-market fundamentalists will not tell Tinubu is that countries that have built viable economies by creating sustainable jobs, did that by violating the neoliberal structures. Pointer examples are South Korea and Taiwan. Both countries had committed their huge resources to subsidizing exports. A system neoliberal disallows.
If Tinubu and his team think the neoliberal model that favours markets and discourages governance is the way to go, they should please study Chile’s example. Chile’s neoliberal experiment produced the worst economic crisis in all of Latin America.
Clearly, Tinubu is not wrong in his belief that Nigeria will be better when its economy is vibrant, strong, and growing. He is only wrong in his believe that the neoliberal model is a unique solution that must be applied across all countries. The fatal flaw of neoliberalism is that it does not even get the economics right. Nigerians must reject the neoliberal model for the simple reason that it is bad economics that will not allow for poverty reduction and better citizens’ welfare.
Audu liberty Oseni is Coordinator of the Media Advocacy West Africa Foundation (MAWA – Foundation) and can be reached on libertydgreat@gmail.com
Mobile: +2348030899992