Hundreds of thousands of dollars taken out of Nigeria every hour in money laundering schemes – INTERPOL
AFOLABI
The International Police Organisation (INTERPOL), on Monday, revealed that “hundreds of thousands of dollars” are being laundered out of Nigeria to other African countries and across the world every hour.
The organisation also said money laundering across Africa and the entire world has assumed a monstrous dimension, adding that it would require a concerted efforts of every security agency in Nigeria and other countries to address.
Garba Baba Umar, the INTERPOL Vice President for Africa, revealed this at EFCC Academy, Abuja when he declared a four-day workshop for Nigerian law enforcement agencies open.
The INTERPOL official, however, said the organisation has launched what he described as “Silver Notices Against Money Laundering”, saying it is in a bid to frontally tackle the scourge of money laundering and illicit financial flows across the world, especially Africa.
“Evidence has shown that every hour, hundreds of thousands of dollars are flowing out of Nigeria to the region and across the world, laundered before it reaches the pockets of criminals to enjoy the profits of their crimes, while the hardworking and honest Nigerians pay the price of crime.
“With every successful laundering of criminal money, our country becomes more prone to crime. More drugs, more fraud, more corruption and more violence. Every time criminal money is successfully laundered, our financial institutions take an additional blow…” Umar said.
He stressed that hard times await money launderers as the Initiative “Silver Notices” would make illicit funds more difficult to launder in any part of the world.
Speaking on the theme of the workshop: “Strengthening Capacity and Coordination against Financial Crimes” Umar noted that financial crimes had become transnational and law enforcement agencies needed regular training for their workforce to be ahead of fraudsters.
He said, “In essence, this Workshop will give us the opportunity to re-examine the challenges of fighting transnational crimes in the country, reassess our strategies, and reaffirm our determination and unity as a country to provide security to our citizens and by extension the global community.”
On his part, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, harped on the need for enhanced collaboration in tackling financial crimes.
Olukoyede, who spoke through the Director, Fraud Risk Assessment and Control of the EFCC, Francis Usani, said the complex nature of corruption across the world could only be broken by the might of collaborative actions by every stakeholder.
“The daunting nature of the fight against corruption in Nigeria and the world at large deserve serious collaboration among organizations saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption”, he said.
In his remark, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, Mr Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, described the workshop as an important joint initiative between Japan and Nigeria to combat financial crimes.
He explained that in the contemporary globalized world, financial crimes transcended borders and required international cooperation among law enforcement agencies to combat them.
Similarly, the Director-General of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, Hafsat Bakare, spoke about the imperative of strengthening capacity and coordination against financial crimes, pointing out that “financial intelligence and financial analysis techniques are key to tackling economic crimes.”
The NFIU, she said, was sensitive to the interconnected nature of the criminal justice system, the threat of organized crime and cybercrimes being fought by law enforcement agencies.
Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, has voiced his opposition to the planned nationwide protests set for August 1, aimed at addressing the economic hardships in Nigeria.
In a statement issued late Monday, Igboho emphasized that President Bola Tinubu has been implementing transformative policies since taking office.
He warned that the call for protests could lead to the disintegration of the country and create discord between the government and the populace.
The protests, tagged #EndBadGovernance, are organized to address the rising cost of living and perceived government inefficiencies.
The demonstrations are scheduled to take place from August 1 to 10 across various states, with participants demanding a reversal of some government policies that they believe have led to economic difficulties.
The Federal Government has been making efforts to address the protesters’ grievances. Information Minister Mohammed Idris highlighted that measures such as food distribution, student loans, and subsidized food sales are being implemented to mitigate the impact of government policies on Nigerians.
Igboho, in a statement, said, “I, Chief Sunday Igboho, am issuing this press release in response to the planned protests by some unknown and faceless individuals, who are working to disintegrate the country.
“Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, he has implemented revolutionary policies, which his predecessors lacked the political will to pursue.
“These bold steps have, unsurprisingly, unsettled those who believe it is their birthright to rule Nigeria. In response, there have been attempts to undermine his administration, particularly on social media, with the aim of creating discord between the government and the people.
“Recently, we have become aware of notices from unknown individuals threatening ’10 days of rage’, beginning August 1, 2024, under the slogan ‘Tinubu Must Go!’
“While the right to peaceful protest is enshrined in our constitution, it does not extend to calls for an unconstitutional regime change. It is worth noting that during President Buhari’s eight-year tenure, there were no such protests for regime change from the Southwest, even when our people faced oppression and atrocities by Fulani terrorists.
“Our protests were focused on protecting our communities, not on destabilizing the country. The Yoruba Nation Movement and I firmly declare that we will not participate in any protest aimed at using the Southwest as a battleground for political upheaval.
“We stand resolute in our belief that the Yoruba nation will not be a launchpad for disintegrating Nigeria. We recognize that economic hardship is a global phenomenon, not unique to Nigeria.
“Since my release from the unjust detention orchestrated by former President Buhari and his then attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, I have travelled extensively across Europe, the Middle East, West Africa, and North America.
“Everywhere, people are facing challenges, and governments are implementing palliatives to alleviate these hardships. In Nigeria, PBAT’s government has introduced measures to reduce food prices and increased the minimum wage from ¦ 30,000 to ¦ 70,000, demonstrating a commitment to improving the lives of the working populace.
“Let us be clear: the protest is politically motivated. We call on all Yoruba people and well-meaning Nigerians to reject this movement. The Yoruba Nation unequivocally opposes any such protests.
“Like President Buhari, President Tinubu must be allowed to complete his term in office. The path to change lies in democratic processes—through the ballot box or a referendum. Those who seek change must wait until the next elections in 2027.
“We urge our members and the broader community to resist any temptation to participate in these protests, as they do not serve the interests of the Yoruba people or the nation as a whole.
“We also issue a strong and unequivocal warning that we will firmly resist any individuals or groups attempting to instigate violence under the guise of these protests. They are strictly warned to stay off the streets across Yorubaland on the designated protest days and in the future. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria has requested a $500 million loan from the World Bank to enhance dam safety and improve water resource management across the country.
The proposed loan aims to tackle Nigeria’s water security challenges and boost agricultural productivity through the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project.
According to the World Bank’s Project Information Document for the SPIN project, posted on its website on Monday, the initiative will focus on four critical areas: institutional strengthening and capacity building, irrigation modernization, improvements in dam operations and safety, and project management.
Nigeria faces significant water security challenges, which impact various sectors, including agriculture, energy, and domestic water supply.
The SPIN project is expected to provide a sustainable solution to these challenges by improving the management of water resources and ensuring the safety of dams across the country.
The initiative is also anticipated to boost agricultural productivity by modernizing irrigation systems, which will enable farmers to have better control over water usage and increase crop yields.
The document read, “Nigeria faces water security challenges, which impact water availability for drinking water, energy and food production, and are increasingly exacerbated by climate change, putting livelihoods and economic development at risk. Harnessing water storage and dam safety is central to climate change adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria. It is a prerequisite to improving water management for water supply, irrigation, and hydropower generation and offers protection from floods and droughts.
“Nigeria has over 400 dams and an estimated total combined storage of 59 billion cubic meters. 46 per cent of dams are federally owned and are managed by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, through River Basin Development Authorities. 48 per cent of dams are state-owned and are managed by a state ministry. Many dams are incomplete and more than 50 per cent of the large dams built in the 1970s and 80s require rehabilitation.
“This situation is due in part to institutions responsible for dam management, whether at the federal or state level, having inadequate budget, human resources and capacity to ensure dam management, operation and maintenance and non-adherence to operational manuals, where they exist.”
The document noted that the country has over 400 dams, many of which are in dire need of rehabilitation.
It was also stated that the devastating 2022 floods, which caused an estimated $6.7bn in economic damage, underscored the urgent need for improved dam safety and water management.
For the second area of the project, the Federal Government plans to rehabilitate and modernise 40,000 hectares of irrigated land. It will also establish and empower Water User Associations to manage irrigation schemes efficiently.
The third area will focus on rehabilitating and enhancing the safety of priority dams, including conducting risk assessments, preparing emergency action plans, and implementing structural safety improvements.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) announced on Monday that its K9, intelligence, and armed squads have been placed on high alert in anticipation of the nationwide protests slated to begin on August 1.
The heightened state of readiness comes as a precautionary measure to prevent a repeat of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests, which saw widespread attacks on correctional facilities across the country.
During the 2020 #EndSARS movement, which began as a protest against police brutality, hoodlums hijacked the peaceful demonstrations, leading to assaults on several government buildings and correctional facilities.
In Edo State, the Oko and Benin custodial centres were attacked, resulting in the escape of 1,993 inmates. Similarly, in Ondo State, 58 inmates fled from the Okitipupa custodial centre.
In an interview with PUNCH on Monday, NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar confirmed the deployment of specialized units and the involvement of other security agencies to ensure the protection of custodial centres nationwide.
The NCoS has activated its K9 units, which include trained dogs for detecting contraband and enhancing security.
Additionally, the intelligence squad is tasked with gathering and analyzing information to preempt any potential threats.
Umar said, “Since the last unfortunate incident, we have strategised on the issue of security around our custodial centres. Both overt and covert operations will be conducted. We have deployed intelligence officers across locations where we have our custodial centres.
“Our K9 Department and armed squad have been placed on alert. The CG has issued a strong circular on the need to collaborate with other security agencies to help secure our custodial centres.
“The interior task force, which was introduced under the immediate-past minister, has been reactivated. Our men are on high alert for any eventuality.”
![[PRESS STATEMENT] The Right to Peaceful Protest - A Pillar of Democratic Governance](/media/k2/items/cache/b30445fd2c3a2a63b9d94c0e09d5b45b_M.jpg)
Abuja, Nigeria: In light of recent events and ongoing discussions surrounding the appropriateness of citizens expressing their dissatisfaction with government policies and actions, we, the undersigned civil society organisations, are compelled to reaffirm the fundamental right of citizens to peaceful protest as a fundamental pillar of democratic governance. This right is a cornerstone of any democratic society and a critical means for citizens to express their dissatisfaction, demand accountability, and advocate for change.
Protesting is a legitimate form of expression enshrined in international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), among others. It allows citizens to publicly voice their concerns, challenge injustices, and participate actively in the democratic process.
Protests serve as a vital mechanism for holding leaders accountable and ensuring that government actions reflect the will and needs of the people. History has shown that protests can lead to significant changes in government policies, processes and practices, highlighting the power of collective action to address grievances and promote good governance.
While the right to protest is a fundamental principle of democratic nations, we concede that it must be exercised peacefully and responsibly without violating the rights of others. Accordingly, we urge all parties engaged, including protest organisers, participants, and law enforcement agencies, to prioritise safety and the rule of law. Law enforcement has a duty to safeguard protesters while upholding public order. Demonstrators must avoid activities that might exacerbate tensions, cause unrest or threaten public safety.
Attempts to suppress demonstrations through intimidation, excessive use of force, or unjust legal actions are unacceptable and counterproductive. Every protest is deemed peaceful, and if intelligence indicates otherwise, it is the role of the appropriate government agencies to identify such saboteurs and arrest them immediately. Arresting protest organisers shows a lack of understanding of the enemies of the state.
We urge the Nigerian Judiciary and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to uphold the rights of all protesters and establish a mechanism to promptly address and dismiss oppressive charges that may arise from these protests. The demands include reducing the cost of living, curbing insecurity, reducing the cost of governance, electoral reform, judicial reform, and constitutional reform, which are all recurring themes in Nigeria’s journey towards a healthy democracy.
We reaffirm our commitment to the principles of democracy and human rights and stand in solidarity with those who decided to exercise the right to peaceful protest.
We encourage all citizens to actively participate in shaping a just and accountable society, and we call on all stakeholders to uphold the principles of democracy, human rights, and
the rule of law.
Signed:
- 21 stCentury Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Initiative
- Accountability Lab Nigeria
- Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO) Uganda
- BudgIT Foundation
- Centre for Accountability and Inclusive Development (CAAID)
- Centre for Inclusive Social Development (CISD)
- Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)
- Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
- Dataphyte Foundation
- DigiCivic Initiative
- Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria
- Farnnel Women Foundation
- Gee Foundation for Social Justice and Development
- Global Rights
- Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative (HEHRAI)
- HIFWAC Relief
- Hope Behind Bars Africa
- Institutional and Sustainable Development Foundation ( ISDF)
- International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC)
- International Press Centre (IPC)
- Invictus Africa
- Kilimanjaro Youth Foundation
- Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
- Mothers United and Mobilised
- Nigeria Network of NGOs
- Paradigm Initiative (PIN)
- Policy Alert
- Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC)
- Research Centre for Development Action
- Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)
- Sesor Empowerment Foundation
- TechHer NG
- The Meluibe Empowerment Foundation
- We the People
- WikkiTimes
- Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC)
- Yiaga Africa
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To ensure the stability of the pump price of refined fuel and the dollar-Naira exchange rate, the Federal Executive Council today adopted a proposal by President Tinubu to sell crude to Dangote Refinery and other upcoming refineries in Naira.
Dangote Refinery at the moment requires 15 cargoes of crude, at a cost of $13.5 billion yearly. NNPC has committed to supply four.
But the FEC has approved that the 450,000 barrels meant for domestic consumption be offered in Naira to Nigerian refineries, using the Dangote refinery as pilot. The exchange rate will be fixed for the duration of this transaction.
Afreximbank and other settlement banks in Nigeria will facilitate the trade between Dangote and NNPC Limited. The game changing intervention will eliminate the need for international letters of credit. It will also save the country of billions of dollars used in importing refined fuel.
Ahead of the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1st to 10th, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has summoned an emergency session of the upper legislative chambers.
The Senate emergency session is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, July 31st.
An internal memorandum from the Senate Clerk has been issued regarding the matter.
The memo issued and signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Francis Akubueze, said the senators were to make all necessary arrangements to attend as issues of national importance will be discussed.
The Memo read: “Dear Distinguished Senators,
The President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, has directed that an emergency plenary sitting of the Senate be convened as follows:
''Date: WEDNESDAY, JULY 31st, 2024;
TIME: 12 NOON;
“Distinguished Senators are requested to make all necessary arrangements to attend as issues of national importance will be discussed.
“We regret all inconveniences that this interruption of the recess will cause.
Thanks for your usual understanding.”
Recall that the National Assembly had commenced a seven-week recess and was expected to reconvene on September 17th, 2024.
This recess was announced after plenary last week Wednesday.
Both chambers of the Assembly – Senate and House of Representatives, were suppose to be on break for seven weeks which is their yearly recess.
Nigerians are gearing up for a nationwide protest over the worsening economy and hunger in the country.
Reports emerged on Monday that protest has already broken out in Suleja Niger State, 72 hours before the scheduled date.
In Niger State, one Wali Haruna has been apprehended by the police over his Facebook post expressing support for the planned nationwide protest.
Haruna, a resident of Suleja, had in the post called on residents of the middle belt State, to participate in the protest.
The suspect was reportedly picked up at his house in the Kabula area in Suleja on Friday before he was transferred to the CID in Minna.
A relation of the suspect, who spoke in confidence, confirmed the development.
He disclosed that his brother’s post on his Facebook account, saying that: “Protest is possible in Nigeria. We support the motion. Let’s go ahead”, and other posts he made in Hausa landed him in police cell.
The spokesman of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the arrest.
He stated that the suspect was invited by the police for interrogation over incitement of the public and whether he belongs to any group organising the protest.
He said: “Wali Haruna of Suleja was invited on July 26, for questioning having shared protest materials on social media. He is being interrogated for being suspected to be inciting the public to protest and to ascertain if he belongs to any group of individuals planning to protest and to find out the mode of such protest for proactiveness.”
For days on end now, the social media has been buzzing with hoopla of the protest as preparation for the events enter top gear.
Also a dark cloud of pessimism, misgivings and doubts hangs over the protest with many saying nothing will come out of it due to the matter it is being organised. They asserted that the lengthy notice and heads-up have defeated the very essence of the protest which is supposed to be organic and spontaneous.
President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Minimum Wage Bill into law.
The signing ceremony took place during the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, disclosed Tinubu’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The new law establishes a minimum monthly salary of N70,000 for workers across Nigeria, which is 133 percent increase from the previous amount of M30,000.
The legislation also includes a provision for review every three years to ensure that wages can be adjusted to reflect changing economic conditions.
“President Tinubu signed the bill midway into the Federal Executive Council meeting. Head of Service said the new law will undoubtedly reassure the workers that the President cares about their welfare.
“Senate President Godswill Akpabio led National Assembly leaders to the signing ceremony.
“President Tinubu thanked the National Assembly for accelerating the passage of the law,” said Onanuga.
More details to follow…
Some youths in Niger State have trooped to the streets to protest the ongoing cost of living crisis in Nigeria, despite the effort of the Federal and State governments to stop the protest, saying hoodlums and enemies of democracy could hijack it.
Naija News learnt that the protesters were seen on the streets chanting anti-government songs and holding placards such as ‘Enough is Enough’; ‘Stop Anti-Masses Policies’; ‘We Are Not Slaves In Our Country’; ‘Hardship Is Unbearable’, ‘Fuel Subsidy Must Be Back’, among others.
According to Daily Trust, some of the protesters on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway declined to speak with journalists who approached them.
More...
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the party would not fold hands and watch President Bola Tinubu’s government toppled before 2027 general election.
The Chairmen of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said they have strong intelligence that the planned August protest was orchestrated to oust President Tinubu.
Addressing newsmen at the APC national secretariat, on Monday, in Abuja, the chairman of the Cross River State chapter and Secretary of the APC States Chairmen Forum, Alphonsus Ogar Eba, said the ruling party would organize party supporters across the nation to hold solidarity rallies across the country.
The APC chairmen called on Nigerians across all political parties to join the party in its support rally for President Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement, Eba said, “As the ruling party, we are prepared to meet every contestant in 2027 but we will not fold our arms and allow undemocratic forces to topple the government we worked so hard to elect into office. That will be a disservice to the good people of Nigeria who freely gave us this mandate.
“We call on all patriotic Nigerians to resist any attempt by anyone or any group of persons to intimidate them into unorganized protest likely to endanger the peace we currently enjoy as a nation. We call on patriots to join forces with security agencies to report any criminal element who attempts to carry out any act of violence.
“Against this background, in the next two weeks commencing from today 29th July to 11th August 2024 and from this press briefing, which shall follow with a solidarity rally by all structures of our party across all political wards, LGAs and states capital including Abuja FCT, we shall embark on peaceful rally to re-echo the laudable projects and the programs of President Tinubu with greater vigor to protect and defend our democracy from any attack by hoodlums or some criminal elements who wants to carry out violent protest.
“All our party men and concerned Nigerians in other political parties, are enjoined to stand firm in protection of democracy. It should be noted that violent protest being contemplated by the faceless group as contained in their charter of demand will annihilate the democratic ideals which all political parties subscribed to.”
Eba said while protest is a constitutional right of the citizens, it must be done through the law.
APC said security intelligence further showed that some hoodlums plan to hijack the protest.
“This is unacceptable and we must resist it in the most civil manner by sensitizing innocent and peace loving people of our country about the plans of failed politicians who want to get power through every illegitimate means by inciting ignorant Nigerians to embark on violent protest.
“Protest is a constitutional right when done through the rule of law. However, security reports have shown that it is counterproductive to embark on this protest this time as there are sinister arrangements by some unpatriotic persons to hijack the protest for the sole purpose of unleashing nefarious agenda to perpetrate violence and indulge in high level criminality reminiscent of the 2020 Endsars protest and the recent experience in Kenya.
“It is our humble view that this will worsen our already challenging socio-economic situation and that is why we have decided to join our voices to make this appeal to all Nigerians,” APC added.
Nigeria’s oil and gas sector recorded zero foreign capital investments in the first quarter of 2024 amid the crisis.
This is according to the National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria’s Capital Importation data for Q1.
Meanwhile, other sectors saw the country’s capital import rose by 210 percent to 3,376.01 million from $1,132.65 million recorded in Q1 2023.
This coming despite the oil and gas sector being Nigeria’s main source of revenue.
Further analysis showed that in the period under review, the Africa Largest Oil Producer failed to attract Foreign Direct Investment, and portfolio investment in the oil and gas industry such as investments in financial assets like stocks, bonds, and securities.
Meanwhile, the banking sector received the highest capital importation to Nigeria in the period.
This coming despite the oil and gas sector being Nigeria’s main source of revenue.
Further analysis showed that in the period under review, the Africa Largest Oil Producer failed to attract Foreign Direct Investment, and portfolio investment in the oil and gas industry such as investments in financial assets like stocks, bonds, and securities.
Meanwhile, the banking sector received the highest capital importation to Nigeria in the period.
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, CPPE said the planned 1-10 August hardship protest could cost Nigeria an estimated daily loss of N400,000 if not properly managed.
CPPE Director, Muda Yusuf disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the protest posed a grave danger to Nigeria’s already fragile economy.
According to the economic think-tank group, the organizers of the planned protest should not offer a platform for elements in the country who have criminal intentions and whose agenda is to inflict pain on innocent citizens and corporate organizations and destroy public assets.
It also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to expeditiously implement its economic stabilization plan to ease production costs and ultimately reduce inflationary pressures.
“The proposed nationwide protests portend grave dangers for an economy which is already in a very fragile state. The protests could inflict an estimated daily loss of N400 billion, if not properly managed.
“The consequences of such a huge loss for the country and the citizens would be very severe. “There is a high risk of shutdowns and disruptions in major sectors of the economy. These include trade and commerce, manufacturing, entertainment, transportation, logistics, financial services, the hospitality industry, agriculture, aviation, ICT, and construction sectors.
“This is in addition to risks to the lives and properties of innocent citizens and corporate bodies. The safety of government assets is also at risk.
“We cannot fix a problem by promoting such negative tendencies.
“Over 90 percent of employed Nigerians are in the informal sector. Employees in this space are dependent on daily income and any disruption to their economic activities beyond 24 hours could snowball into major social unrest. This underlines the country’s vulnerability to prolonged protests”, CPPE stated.
DAILY POST reports that a group known as the Take It Back Movement announced a planned Nationwide protest amid the rising cost of living and hardship in Nigeria.
TIB movement, through its solicitor, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa wrote to the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Service seeking protection during the protest.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun had asked protesters to provide details as a condition to ensure protection.
In the last weeks, there have been calls for and counter for the planned protest.
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Kingsley Moghalu, has explained why African countries can’t create prosperity.
Moghalu said Nigeria and other African countries have weak governance capacity, including foundational philosophical worldview, knowledge of public policy framing and execution, Monitoring and evaluation framework, amongst other.
He posted on X: “Why African countries can’t create prosperity: weak governance capacity. Absence of:
1. Foundational philosophical worldview (EVERY prosperous developed country has one).
2. Knowledge of public policy framing and execution.
3. Monitoring and evaluation framework.
4. Decision Science (data-based policy making).
5. Basic macroeconomic knowledge (as DepGov @cenbank this was obvious from interactions across @NigeriaGov and @nassnigeria ).
6. Strategy and risk management.
7. Understanding of the role of the private sector and the right balance between the state (regulation and policy) and the market.
8. Accountability (in reality) for corruption, thus allowing corruption (which exists everywhere) to become systemic and completely divert away from a true focus of governance on development.
9. Nationhood. Too much atomistic thinking along identity (ethnic and religious) lines. This completely destroys any inclination to objectivity in decision making. In the absence of a true worldview many African countries are “governed” by small views.”