Nigeria’s outgoing President, Muhammadu Buhari, completes his two terms in office amidst varying reactions from Nigerians. Citizens have reflected on the achievements and challenges of the Buhari administration over the last eight years, with some commending some policies, while others have criticized others.
Residents of South-South Nigeria shared their thoughts in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria.
The chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, in Rivers, Adata Bio- Briggs, commended Buhari’s administration for its achievements in defending Nigeria’s democracy. She acknowledged the positive impact of the signed electoral bill and other laws that fostered financial independence at the state level.
However, a lawyer based in Port Harcourt, Mankie Tambari, praised the government’s Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, noting its efforts in developing appropriate correctional methods for inmates.
Similarly, Jaspa Jumbo, an indigene of Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, lauded the federal government’s remarkable effort in constructing the Bodo-Bonny road; a project supported by the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas, NLNG.
On agriculture, Dr Chijioke Osuji, an agro industry expert from Owerri, acknowledged the government’s efforts in boosting rice production by stimulating local integrated rice mills. However, he expressed disappointments in the administration’s management of security and natural disasters such as floods.
The cashless policy and Naira design policy, another controversial policy of the administration, was also discussed. Oyibio Oko, a lawyer in Uyo, condemned the policy, calling it disastrous and unplanned. Correspondingly, an industrialist based in Port Harcourt, Ernest Wigolo, lamented the administration’s borrowing policies.
Finally, citizens also expressed their opinions on the current state of the Nigeria’s educational system. While Professor of Agriculture Education, Ntiaobong Ekong, commended the government in handling primary and secondary education, the administration performed poorly in providing adequate funding to the tertiary education sector.
The incoming administration has been urged to improve the system and foster human capital development for the betterment of the nation.
It remains to be seen how the incoming administration will build on the successes of the Buhari administration and overcome the challenges when it assumes power.
NAN
