From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
As Nigeria gears up for 2025, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria have issued a clarion call for urgent reforms to address the socio-economic challenges that plagued the nation throughout 2024.
“The government must implement rapid and holistic measures to address citizens’ plights,” the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, stated in a statement.
They emphasised the excessive cost of governance as a critical barrier to national development. “High governance costs divert resources from critical sectors,” the organisation noted, pointing out that many states are pursuing unproductive projects despite recommendations from the Orosanye Report aimed at reducing wasteful expenditures.
CISLAC and TI-Nigeria underscored the urgent need for enhanced security measures in 2025. “The government must allocate adequate resources to security sectors to combat ongoing violence,” they stressed.
They advocate for adopting international best practices in intelligence gathering and improving inter-agency cooperation among defence forces. “Radical reforms are needed, including Early Warning systems and better remuneration for security personnel,” Rafsanjani added.
To safeguard democracy, CISLAC and TI-Nigeria insisted on comprehensive constitutional amendments and reforms in political parties and electoral systems. “A judiciary lacking focus undermines democracy,” they warned, urging reforms to restore public faith in the legal system. “The Nigerian people deserve leadership that is responsive, accountable, and capable of delivering development and prosperity,” the statement emphasised.
CISLAC and TI-Nigeria also highlighted that weak border security has facilitated terrorism financing, with 137 out of 261 borders unguarded. “We must enhance the capacity of anti-corruption agencies to tackle these issues effectively,” they stated, calling for stricter financial regulations to combat money laundering and illicit financial flows.
Despite attempts to undermine anti-corruption agencies, CISLAC and TI-Nigeria called for reaffirming commitment to their independence. “The government must fully implement anti-corruption laws to remove Nigeria from international grey lists,” they urged. “Without addressing systemic corruption, achieving sustainable development will remain an illusion,” Rafsanjani recalled the warning during a recent presentation at the UN General Assembly.
On local government autonomy, CISLAC and TI-Nigeria commended recent judicial rulings supporting local government autonomy but emphasised the need for constitutional reforms to ensure effective grassroots development. “Local governments must be empowered financially and administratively to deliver on their mandates,” they stated.
In conclusion, CISLAC and TI-Nigeria emphasised the need for an economic blueprint to address Nigeria’s challenges, focusing on diversification through public-private partnerships in agriculture and industry. “Our nation’s challenges are immense but surmountable. With transparency, accountability, and reform, Nigeria can still achieve its goals,” Rafsanjani concluded.