Tuesday, October 20, 2020 / 12:44 PM / OpEd
by Abiodun Awosusi / Header Image Credit: Imole Tobbie Balogun
The
nationwide protests calling for police reforms in Nigeria are timely. A recent analysis
on African Arguments shows that a number of factors may be responsible:
accounts of brutality, failed attempts at previous reforms and the power of a
leaderless youth-led movement. While the government has announced drastic
reforms, the movement is unabated in its incessant demands to end police
brutality and justice for victims. The protests are likely to have a snowball
effect on the consciousness of citizens, especially young people, who become
increasingly active in demanding quality services across other sectors from
public and private sector players. The emergence of these active citizens
particularly the Millennials
and Gen
Z individuals has important implications for reforms across all sectors.
Citizens and leaders need to pay attention to major trends shaping this call
for a better governed country.
First,
Nigeria's demographic landscape is changing with a large adolescent and youth
population. According to the World Bank, 53.6%
of Nigeria's population is between the ages of 15 and 64 while children between
the ages of 0 and 14 constitute 43.7%
of the population. Millennials (or Gen Y) generally refer to young people born
from the early 1980s to mid-1990s (1980 - 1995) while Gen Z are born from mid
1990s to 2010 (1996 - 2010). Despite wide global variation about the exact age
range for each generation, millennials are currently 25 - 39 years old while
Gen Z are about 10 - 24 years old. A 2020 Statista demographic analysis
of Nigeria shows that these two generations collectively represent 50.9% of the
total population with more Gen Z (31.8%) than Millennials (19.1%). They are
digitally connected and communal. These youthful generations form the fastest
growing percentage of Nigeria's current workforce. They are also the worst
affected by workers' strikes at educational institutions and youth
unemployment. The protests are part of an unfolding generational shift and
genuine demands for a better country where every human life has value.
Second,
the dynamic of social activism is evolving rapidly. Millennials and Gen Z are
mission-driven and highly connected through existing information and
communication tools. They form a large portion of users of social media with a
growing number of influencers who shape public opinion. Both generations are
adept at using new digital tools to gather and share information, and form
alliances (like the feminist
coalition) to achieve specific objectives. While youth activism is not new,
social media has changed the rules of the game and playground. It accelerates
convergence of voices on particular themes and helps mobilize domestic and
global support for common causes. Social media acts as a fulcrum, balancing the
dynamics of activism online and offline in a coherent way. Across the country,
these tools have been harnessed to make valid cases for social justice and
youth empowerment. The #NotTooYoungToRun movement successfully ensured the
passage of a
landmark law to allow young people participate in politics before the 2019
elections.
The
#EndSARS movement has forced government to disband the dysfunctional police
unit and commence a series of police reforms. This growing activism is not
likely to be a one-off event.
Another
major trend is that young people are leading thriving business and social enterprises.
Millennials are harnessing rapid mobile and internet penetration with digital
commerce and new technologies to build a robust technology ecosystem that
attracts significant investments from domestic and international players.
Leading enterprises such as Paystack,
Flutterwave and Kudi are accelerating financial inclusion for businesses and
individuals. Health enterprises such as LifeBank, 54Gene, Helium
Health, MDaaS and Doctoora
are developing innovative tools to solve problems across the healthcare value
chain. Technology is transforming education on Pass.ng;
remote engineering training at Andela; job
search and placement via Jobberman;
and human resource management on Seamless HR.
Young people are also changing the agriculture, mobility, media and tourism
landscapes with great products and services. This progress contributes not
only to job creation but also a gradual shift in source of economic power from
traditional oil-based model to skilled use of technologies, capital and human
resources to create value in productive sectors of the economy.
In
addition, government revenue source is changing with significant implications
for government-citizen interactions. Imagine a post-oil
Nigeria where government relies more on non-oil revenue with a variety of
taxes. That future is closer than you can imagine. The pandemic has weakened
efforts to generate revenue to finance government plans necessitating
additional borrowing. Reduction in oil and non-oil revenue has shrunk the
fiscal space. The country spends more than half of total national revenue to service
debts - most debts are from domestic sources. Progress on recent tax
reforms has been hampered by shocks to various sectors of the economy with a
looming recession. Despite the massive need to spend more to save lives and
livelihoods, revenue growth is stunted by the coronavirus crisis. The awareness
of these issues among young people is increasing. Evidence
shows that citizens who pay taxes tend to demand better governance and
efficient management of public resources. This requires proactive engagement of
the populace, transparent governance and delivery of excellent services.
Besides,
effective citizen engagement is crucial in a post-COVID Nigeria. The
coronavirus pandemic has had devastating socio-economic impacts across the
world particularly in Africa where there is limited opportunity for large
stimulus packages. Although the region has recorded fewer deaths than other
parts of the world due to an interplay
of several factors, its economies have been badly hit by the crisis. The World
Bank projects
the region is heading for its first recession in 25 years, with anticipated
rise in unemployment rate and number of poor people. A historical
analysis of previous pandemics across the world shows that epidemics
accentuate existing tensions and socioeconomic woes. The pandemic may therefore
be one of key triggers for these protests as similar calls for social justice
in other countries have increased since the pandemic began. These calls enable
concerned citizens to present genuine demands. They can also allow responsive
governments and institutions to act swiftly to initiative transparent reforms
while limiting further negative economic consequences of COVID-19.
Lastly,
resilient recovery from the coronavirus pandemic requires macroeconomic and
social stability. Implementation of government's
plan to limit the socioeconomic effects of the pandemic requires a secured
environment. A safe and conducive business climate can support the viability of
private enterprises to sustain jobs and employ more people. In addition to
recent reforms, a responsive police force that protects all citizens
irrespective of religion, tribe, gender and socio-economic status is a key part
of an enabling business
environment. A truly reformed police force sends the right message to
businesses, investors and development partners. Without fear of harassment,
kidnapping and theft, citizens especially young people can enthusiastically
engage in productive economic activities. Safety and stability is not only
important in the oil fields of Niger Delta but across the entire country where
citizens can live, work and thrive.
A
new Nigeria is emerging - a perfect time to reinforce the second stanza of the
National Anthem:
Oh
God of creation
Direct
our noble cause
Guide
our leaders right
Help
our youth the truth to know
In
love and honesty to grow
And
living just and true
Great
lofty heights attain
To
build a nation where peace and justice shall reign
About the Author
'Biodun Awosusi is health economist at Health Systems and Development
Enterprise. He is a TEDMED2020 Research Scholar and MIT Technology
Review Global Panel Member. Previously, he was health financing advisor at
Clinton Health Access Initiative; research consultant on the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation-funded Learning for Action across Health Systems at Oxford
Policy Management; advocacy manager at ACF International; and technical officer
on the USAID-funded Program to Build Leadership and Accountability in Nigeria's
Health System. He was the Nigeria Coordinator of the multi-country Rockefeller
Foundation-funded Health for All Campaign for Universal Health Coverage in
2014. 'Biodun holds master's degrees in International Health (University of
Oxford) and International Management (University of Liverpool) with a
bachelor's degree in medicine and surgery from Obafemi Awolowo
University.
Artictle from Same Author
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