The year 2024 has been a mixed bag in Nigeria, with positive and negative events making headlines. However, two issues that have consistently dominated the landscape are the country’s incessant security challenges and the economic hardship.  

The year began with the brazen attack on a military camp in Nahuta village, Katsina State. Precisely, on January 14, armed men sent the troops fleeing, and left a trail of destruction in their wake. In March, more than 200 pupils and a teacher were kidnapped in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The following month, the nation was shaken by the incident tagged the 2024 Aba killings, in which unknown gunmen attacked a military checkpoint in Aba, Abia State, claiming the lives of 11 people, including five soldiers. On September 3, 2024, Boko Haram militants stormed Tarmuwa district in Yobe State, killing 130 villagers.  

Just recently, an airstrike in two Sokoto communities, Gidan Bisa and Runtuwa, in Silame LGA, left 10 civilians dead, sparking conflicting accounts between local authorities and the military. While the Local Government Council Chairman, Abubakar Gitta Rana, described it as an “erroneous” attack on innocent villagers, the Joint Task Force, JTF, North West, Operation Fasan Yamma, insisted the operation targeted Lakurawa terrorists and denied hitting civilian structures.  

On the other hand, economic hardship is taking its toll, as the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu in May 2023 continued to have devastating impacts. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, inflation rate has been rising since May 2023, hitting 34 per cent in May 2024. Driven mainly by currency depreciation and increasing transportation costs, the situation has left many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet amidst rising costs and limited job opportunities.

The Federal Government must take decisive action to address these pressing issues of insecurity and worsening economy. We urge the administration to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, and to alleviate their hardship by tackling inflation and unemployment. No nation can prosper when its citizens are burdened by these two problems. The time for decisive action is now.  

Despite the challenges, there are several positive developments in 2024 worth acknowledging. Notable examples are the recent increase in the national minimum wage from ¦ 30,000 to ¦ 70,000, and the commencement of operations at the Dangote Port Harcourt refineries. These developments may have their shortcomings, such as further inflation, in the case of wage increase, and exploitation associated with private businesses, in the case of Dangote, but if they are well managed, they could lead to better prospects. The refinery, in particular, marks a crucial step towards Nigeria’s goal of energy self-sufficiency; it will save the country billions of dollars in fuel imports.  

Overall, the year 2024 has been a tumultuous one for Nigeria, marked by persistent security challenges and economic struggles, and a few notable breakthroughs. It is hoped that the government will wake up to its responsibilities to ensure 2025 becomes a different stroke for Nigeria, ushering in favourable developments.