No Quick Fix To Nigeria’s Problems, Nigerian Envoy Replies The Economist

The Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, has said there is no quick or simple fix to myriad of challenges facing Nigeria and it is unwise to pretend otherwise.

The Envoy also described the characterisation of Nigeria by the London-based magazine, The Economist, in its recent edition, as unfair, saying that the issues confronting Nigeria have been long-standing and the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was achieving tremendous results in tackling them.

According to a statement by the presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, quoting a letter written to The Economist in response to a piece titled, ‘Insurgency, Secessionism and Banditry Threaten Nigeria’, the High Commissioner said: “The Economist is correct to point out the multiple security and governance challenges that Nigeria presently faces. But the picture that you present is selective and unfair to your readers. The decay of agencies and institutions has gathered momentum for decades. There is no quick or simple fix. It is unwise to pretend otherwise.”

He reminded the organisation that President Buhari had been elected twice in national elections and was indeed making progress by working with international partners.

“There has been progress. Nigeria works closely with partners in the Sahel region, Europe and the US on security and intelligence. It is not an accident that the leadership of militant groups is weaker than it has ever been. You highlight the need for police reform: this is a process that President Buhari’s administration has led, including the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). We are already working with the UK and others on training and equipment,” he said.

The High Commissioner described Nigeria’s “robust COVID-19 response as well as the President’s battle to provide stable energy for the country as noteworthy.

“Nigeria has led the region in a robust response to COVID-19 that has helped keep infection levels well below many parts of the world, while also helping to mitigate the economic shocks from the global downturn for the most vulnerable. President Buhari has also championed reforms to the energy sector, the cradle for corruption, in the teeth of fierce resistance from the old, business-as-usual brigade.”