Have you heard about the recent controversy surrounding Nigeria’s participation in the COP28 climate summit in Dubai? Well, it has raised some serious concerns about the current government’s commitment to reducing the cost of governance, especially when many Nigerians are facing economic hardships.
At a time when the government is urging citizens to make sacrifices and endure the difficulties caused by the country’s economic challenges, some people feel that the government is not leading by example.
President Bola Tinubu traveled to Dubai with a whopping 1,411 delegates, making Nigeria the African country with the largest entourage and the third-largest representation at the conference. This has sparked criticism from many Nigerians who believe that such a high number of delegates is unnecessary, especially considering the economic suffering experienced by millions of citizens due to government policies.
These concerns come in the wake of the government’s claim that it inherited an “empty treasury” and is facing bankruptcy. Rising inflation has made life harder for ordinary Nigerians, pushing more people into poverty and reducing their purchasing power.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria spent over 96% of its revenue in 2022 on debt servicing, and its total debt stocks rose to a staggering N87.38 trillion in the second quarter of 2023. With these alarming figures, many Nigerians have been calling on Tinubu to take action and reduce the cost of running the government.
Unfortunately, despite the hardships faced by Nigerians, the government has not taken visible steps to cut down on the cost of governance. Instead, it has allocated billions of Naira for acquiring a presidential yacht, state house vehicles, and renovating the President and Vice President’s lodges. These expenses have only added to the frustration felt by
In response to the criticism surrounding Nigeria’s large delegation at the COP28 summit, the Presidency clarified that only a few of the 1,411 delegates were sponsored by the Federal Government. The majority of the contingent consisted of private sector players, civil society organizations, and delegates from the Niger Delta region.
The government emphasized that the number of attendees registered against their countries of origin does not necessarily mean they are sponsored or funded by the government. It also highlighted Nigeria’s status as the largest country in Africa with a significant stake in climate action, which explains the higher number of delegates compared to other African countries.
However, on Monday, the federal government further clarified that it funded 422 delegates to the climate summit. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that President Bola Tinubu and other officials were in Dubai for “serious business” and not for a jamboree.
While the government has provided some explanations, many Nigerians still question the priorities of the Tinubu government. With the economic hardships faced by citizens, they believe that reducing the cost of governance should be a top priority.
As young citizens, it’s important for us to understand the decisions made by our government and how they impact our lives. Let’s continue to stay informed and engaged in the issues that affect us and our country.