Falana criticized Tinubu’s economic reform, calling for a policy review

Human rights lawyers and senior Nigerian supporters (SAN), Femi Falana, have greatly criticized the economic policy of the Tinubu Bola President, describing them as “Hard Neoliberal Reform” which has destroyed the middle class of Nigeria and worsened the living conditions of millions of citizens.

Speaking of today’s politics, a program on a television channel aired on Monday, Falana accused Tinubu administration of implementing policies that had accelerated poverty and social inequality throughout the country. He argues that apart from the recognition of the new president about the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians, the current administrative track continues to deepen the widespread suffering.

“I have seen the President asking the APC Governor to ‘wet the land’,” said Falana. “But to the extent that it involves the mass of our people, everything is increasingly difficult from that day because of the hard economic crisis in the country, which was recognized by the President himself. Nigerians throughout the country complained that everything was increasingly difficult for them.”

Falana links increased economic pressure with administrative commitment to neoliberal recipes, especially those fought for by international financial institutions such as international monetary funds (IMF) and the World Bank.

“Because the implementation of neoliberal policy religion by the government, poverty is in power. That will require a review of this policy,” he added.

He also criticized the encouragement of government privatization, stating that it damaged efforts to overcome the inequality of income. According to Falana, transferring public resources to several individuals in the name of privatization is contrary to the principles of fair governance and inclusive economic development.

“You cannot overcome the inequality of income in a country while handing out the state resources to several people in the name of privatization,” he said. “Most Nigerians are unable to buy three square meals a day. The middle class has been removed by the government’s neoliberal policy.”

He urged the federal government to “return to the image council” and review the economic agenda to prioritize the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, especially those who live in rural communities.

Since serving in May 2023, President Tinubu has introduced several major economic reforms, including liberalization of Naira and the elimination of fuel subsidies. While these policies aim to stabilize the economy and encourage investment, they have contributed to skyrocketing inflation, a surge in fuel prices, and increasing living costs – launching many households that struggle to survive.

Falana underlined the urgent need for the government to institutionalize and legally enforce social welfare programs as part of the poverty reduction strategy. He asked for special attention to the National Social Investment Program (NSI), which was modified based on the Law of the Social Investment Agency in 2023.

“To eradicate poverty, we must start by applying the Welfare Law,” he said. “President Tinubu must be able to persuade the governors to codify social investment programs and impose them into laws.”

NSP includes a number of initiatives such as N-Power for Youth Empowerment, Government Company and Empowerment (Geep) programs, national school eating schemes, and conditional cash transfers aimed at supporting vulnerable households.

Falana’s statement added a wave of public concern over the economic impact of the recent federal policy, with many who called for a more loving government and reforms centered on people.