By Musa Abdullahi Sufi
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has faced significant challenges over the past decades. Among these, the menace of Boko Haram and economic instability have been particularly prominent. When Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015, he inherited a nation grappling with terrorism and a faltering economy.
His administration faced global economic instability and recession as well as COVID 19 to mention but few.
Over his tenure, Buhari implemented measures that significantly weakened Boko Haram and initiated economic reforms. However, his administration was not without controversy, often marred by politicization and misinformation.
The Fight Against Boko Haram
Upon taking office, Buhari prioritized the fight against Boko Haram, a terrorist group that had devastated the northeastern region of Nigeria, particularly in states like Borno and Yobe. The group controlled several local government areas in many northeastern states, with daily bombings and gun attacks causing widespread death and destruction.
Buhari’s administration implemented decisive measures that significantly reduced Boko Haram’s influence and operational capacity. By the end of his tenure, bombings had become rare, and killings had drastically decreased. Although banditry has since emerged as a new threat, this will be discussed in a subsequent article.
His administration’s military strategy and coordination yielded results. Buhari restructured the military command, relocating it to Maiduguri, the epicentre of Boko Haram’s activities. This move improved coordination and response times, leading to significant military victories against the insurgents.
In addition, International collaboration was another excellent idea by the administration. Recognizing the transnational nature of terrorism, Buhari forged stronger ties with neighbouring countries through the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
This collaboration played a critical role in cutting off Boko Haram’s supply lines and restricting their movements. His visits to neighbouring countries like Chad, Niger, etc. build much stronger collaboration that yields unimaginable successes within the period.
In the aspect of rescue missions, one of the most notable successes of Buhari’s administration was the rescue of many of the Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram in 2014. These efforts, though not yielding the release of all abducted individuals, demonstrated a commitment to securing the freedom of those in captivity.
Economic Management and Reforms
Buhari’s tenure was marked by a series of economic policies aimed at stabilizing and revitalizing Nigeria’s economy, which had been severely impacted by falling oil prices and mismanagement, in addition to recessions, corruption, and citizens’ poor understanding of the governance system.
His administration getting into office faced with unpaid Salaries by many states in the country. Buhari’s immediate action was addressing the issue of months of unpaid salaries across various states. His government provided bailout funds, and the administration ensured that civil servants received their due payments, thus averting a potential crisis and stimulating local economies.
Efforts were made to Infrastructural Development across the nation. His administration embarked on an ambitious infrastructure development program despite poor cooperation from legislators. The construction of rail lines across the country and function trains, and the AKK (Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano) gas pipeline project, expansion and dualization on major Nigerian roads like Abuja-Kano, bridges were among the key initiatives aimed at boosting connectivity and economic growth.
For the national food sustenance program Agricultural Support was given a very important recognition. To diversify the economy away from oil dependence, Buhari’s government provided substantial support to the agricultural sector. Initiatives like the Anchor Borrowers’ Program facilitated access to credit for farmers, leading to increased agricultural productivity and food security among others.
To catch up with the global system, his administration supported and strengthened the Digital Economy Programs. Recognizing the potential of the digital economy, Buhari promoted various digital initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Programs supporting the tech ecosystem helped position Nigeria as a leading hub for technology and innovation in Africa.
Politicization and Misinformation
Despite these (brief highlights) achievements, Buhari’s administration faced significant opposition and criticism, often fueled by politicization and misinformation. Mainly capitalizing on most people’s inability to apply critical thinking and take information from one side as well as poor balancing of unfolding events and more.
The Political Opposition had played a greater role in tarnishing these efforts than their roles as opposition to challenge the government to better serve Nigeria: Buhari’s reforms and actions often drew criticism from political opponents who accused his administration of favouritism and inefficiency. These accusations, frequently amplified by ill-informed social media, and partisan media created a polarized political environment.
Misinformation campaigns were on the challenge and still spreading against Buhari despite over a year out of office. The proliferation of misinformation, particularly on social media, further complicated Buhari’s efforts. False narratives and exaggerated claims about his administration’s policies and actions undermined public trust and fueled discontent.
One example of such misinformation is the claim that the Lagos-Ibadan Highway was repaired solely to appease southerners, particularly the Yoruba people. In reality, the highway significantly benefits businesspeople from northern Nigeria, who use the road daily to transport goods. The improved road has been crucial in preventing losses of perishable goods, such as tomatoes, which were previously subject to spoilage due to poor road conditions.
Conclusion
Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure was a period of significant challenges and notable achievements. His administration’s efforts in combating Boko Haram and implementing economic reforms brought substantial improvements to Nigeria’s security and economic landscape.
However, the impact of politicization and misinformation often overshadowed these successes. As Nigeria moves forward, the lessons from Buhari’s presidency highlight the importance of sustained efforts in security and economic management, as well as the need to address the challenges posed by misinformation in the digital age.