ACCOMPLISH MAGAZINE APRIL 2024

FEATURE / ANALYSIS
administration may have
wrong steps that worsened
things. The former group point
to the removal of petroleum
subsidy without first making
provisions that will mitigate the
outcomes and the floating of
the United States' dollar. They
also allude to increasing
electricity tariff and poor
handling of food scarcity. This
group allege that the
government of President Bola
Ahmed Tinubu is working
against its own agenda of
economic recovery by the way
it has gone about its
implementation.
Truth be told, these negative
economic showings didn't
begin with the Tinubu
administration but it's clear
that the economic situation of
the average Nigerian has
gotten much more terrible
under Tinubu's watch. Since he
took the reins of office, Nigeria
has experienced its worst
economic recession, resulting
in job losses and reduced
household income for many
families.
A perceptive observer would
note that the disturbing
realities span all six geopolitical
zones of the country, casting a
shadow over the lives and
well-being of citizens. In
response to rising public
discourse on the subject,
Accomplish Magazine decided
to find out how the economic
situation is affecting families in
the geopolitical zones. The
respondents include Mrs.
Deborah Olorunshe, a retail
trader from Kogi State (North
Central); Mrs. Aishat Jallor
Abubakar, a social worker from
Adamawa (North East); Mrs.
Zainab Abdulrahman, a
microbiologist from Jigawa
(North West); Mrs. Cynthia
Egboh, a chef from Enugu
State(South East); Mrs.
Oberhirhi Okogun, a marketer
and dentist from Delta State
(South-South); and Mrs.
Omolara Adebiji, a chemist
(South West). They shared how
their respective families have
been affected by the economic
crunch.
Mrs. Deborah Olorunshe
Accomplish Magazine: How has the
economic situation in the North
Central geopolitical zone impacted
your family in terms of job
opportunities and income stability?
Mrs. Deborah Olorunshe:
One of the major issues affecting job
opportunities is the lack of
industrialisation and investment in key
sectors. The zone has predominantly
been reliant on agriculture, and while
this sector employs many, it is largely
informal and does not offer stable
income opportunities. Many families
struggle to make ends meet, as a
result, leading to increased poverty
levels and societal unrest. The lack of
job opportunities has also forced
many individuals to seek
employment in other parts of the
country or even abroad, leading to a
separation of families and further
economic strain. This hurts family
stability and cohesion, as individuals
are forced to leave their loved ones
behind in search of better economic
opportunities.
Accomplish Magazine: What
should the government do to
mitigate the economic challenges
faced by families in the North
Central zone?
Mrs. Deborah Olorunshe:
The government has a responsibility
to create an enabling environment
for businesses to thrive and create
job opportunities. This can be
achieved through investment in
infrastructure, improving the ease of
doing business, and providing
incentives for private sector
investment in the zone. They can
also play a role in providing social
safety nets for families facing
economic hardship by providing
cash transfer programmes, job
training initiatives, and support for
small businesses. By providing these
interventions, I believe the
government can help to alleviate
the financial burden on families and
improve their overall economic
stability.
Accomplish Magazine: What are the
main challenges families in the North
East zone are facing regarding the
economy, and how are they coping
with them?
Mrs. Aishat Jallor Abubakar: The
ongoing conflicts has disrupted many
businesses and industries in the
region, leading to high levels of
unemployment. Boko Haram
insurgency has resulted in economic
and social disruption, widespread
displacement, loss of lives, destruction
of infrastructure, and a severe strain
on the region's economy. As a result,
families in the region are having a
hard time coping with the economic
hardships and lack of access to basic
amenities and infrastructure.
Mrs. Aishat Jallor Abubakar
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