Former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take immediate action to address the widespread economic challenges affecting millions of Nigerians. Osinbajo made this call while speaking at the 2024 Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) conference in Lagos.
“The cost of living is overwhelming Nigerians’ hope for survival,” Osinbajo stated, emphasizing the urgent need for social welfare programs and policies to improve daily living conditions. He highlighted the devastating impact of rising food prices on children and stressed the necessity for stronger social safety nets to ensure basic needs are met.
Osinbajo specifically emphasized the need for swift government action to address rising costs of essentials like food, transportation, and housing, which have severely impacted countless families. He acknowledged that Nigeria’s economic growth is intimately tied to addressing these fundamental challenges.
Education was another critical area Osinbajo addressed, particularly the alarming literacy rates in northern Nigeria, where over 67% of women are illiterate. He underscored education’s pivotal role in national progress, cautioning that Nigeria’s growth will be severely hindered if half the population lacks access to education and economic opportunities.
“A country where half the population is socially and economically disempowered due to illiteracy will find development difficult, if not impossible,” Osinbajo warned. To address this, he advocated for investing in education and providing opportunities for economic independence, especially for women.
Osinbajo’s remarks come amid growing concerns about Nigeria’s economic stability and social welfare. His call to action emphasizes the urgent need for collaborative efforts between government, business leaders, and civil society to address these pressing challenges.
The WIMBIZ conference, themed “Dream, Dare and Do,” brought together prominent business leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss strategies for promoting economic growth and social development.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, also spoke at the conference, encouraging participants to transform their dreams into actionable plans. She emphasized the importance of daring to take risks and overcoming obstacles to achieve success.
Osinbajo’s keynote address underscored his commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth, social justice, and education in Nigeria. His remarks resonate with the conference’s theme, inspiring leaders to take bold action toward creating a more prosperous Nigeria. ¹
