The Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) has called on the Federal Government not to manage the nation into a crisis situation, as the nation is not just undergoing a crisis in the system but a crisis of the system.

In a statement issued by its President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, the institute submitted that if the present crisis occasioned by fuel subsidy removal is not well handled, Nigeria will sleep- walk into a state of significant disruption at a cost to the economy and the well-being of its population.

According to Chief Cole: “In management terms, what our nation is going through at the moment is a decisive moment and a crucial time in our history. The current revolt against the fuel subsidy removal, if not strategically managed, can lead our nation into an unstable state of affairs that can result in undesirable change, with distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome.

“What our government needs to do is to aim for a positive turning point in their deliberations with the civil society and labour unions, learn from this experience and remove much of the risk in our uncertainties by creatively exercising their management and leadership role”, he further stressed.

In addition to the foregoing, the Institute called on the Nigerian Government to be more sensitive and involving of stakeholders in policy design, development and implementation whilst ensuring that government policy has human face as the world is now more democratically astute; noting  the experiences in the northern part of Africa in 2011 and  pointing out that Nigeria is not immune to same as the current demonstrations and voices of discontent have clearly indicated.

Moreso, the institute which believes that managing communication is the hallmark of good leadership and management, admonished government to learn from the prevailing situation and ensure that their future policies are well timed; understandable to the local population and adequately communicated with enough details using various media. All these are essential to demonstrate that it is indeed a listening government.

The statement equally called on government to demonstrate meaningful and substantial reduction to the cost of governance. This, it reasoned, should go beyond the mere 25% cut on basic salary as announced and cut across all allowances, governance structures, staffing and support level such as number of personal aides and assistants which will demonstrate genuine leadership and intent to austere governance measures.

Olawale-Cole urged the Nigeria Government to “wake up to the reality that our citizens are already feeling the pain of the implementation and many are resolved to resist what appears to be a punitive policy, as they groan under the burden of co-existing with its immediate consequences on their well being and livelihood”.

Noting that the security issue created by the Boko Haram sect is still unresolved, Olawale-Cole reminded the government that “the Nigerian nation cannot afford another crisis situation that can pose a significant threat to public safety, our well being and the nation’s finance.

He states that while crisis begin as a negative threat, effective management of it can minimise the damage and in some cases allow a nation to emerge stronger than before the crisis. Our government should therefore aim to restore the nation towards self-determination, economic stability, and social justice.