Government policies

When I think about what a government should be, I believe it is supposed to serve the people, protect their interests, and make decisions that improve their lives. A good government should act like a caring parent, providing basic amenities, creating opportunities, and ensuring everyone has a fair shot at living well. Sadly, what I see happening today is the exact opposite. Instead of helping us, our leaders seem to be making policies that bring nothing but pain and frustration.

Since this current administration assumed office about two years ago, things have gone from bad to worse. The economy keeps sinking, and the financial state and health of the citizens keep deteriorating. The cost of living rises daily, like the blood pressure of someone with severe hypertension. Everything has become expensive, food, transportation, and even healthcare. Sometimes, I wonder if our leaders truly understand what ordinary citizens are going through, or if they simply do not care.

One decision that shocked me was the removal of fuel subsidies almost immediately after the president came into power. While I understand that subsidies can’t last forever, removing them without proper preparation or support for the masses was a reckless move. To make things worse, the naira was floated, and since then, its value has dropped so low that it feels almost useless. These two decisions alone have caused prices of goods and services to shoot up beyond what many of us can afford.

The most painful part is that while we are suffering, the government seems to be focused on itself. Yes, there was an increase in the minimum wage, but it doesn’t mean much when prices keep rising every day. My salary can’t even last a month anymore because transportation alone swallows a huge chunk of it. It’s like we are working just to survive, with no hope of saving or planning for the future.

As if that is not enough, there are now plans to introduce even more taxes. From January 2026, we will be paying an extra 5% on fuel purchases above ₦10,000. On top of that, workers earning above ₦2 million a year will pay a 15% tax. I don’t have a problem with paying taxes, but it becomes frustrating when the government is not using the money to provide basic amenities like stable electricity, good roads, affordable healthcare, and quality education. It feels as though the government is only interested in taking from us, not giving back.

What angers me the most is how the government responds to protests. Instead of listening to the people, they threaten to arrest anyone who dares to speak up. It’s as if they want us to suffer in silence while they continue to make decisions that hurt us.

I know one thing for sure: if we keep voting without considering credibility and integrity, this cycle will never end. We, the citizens, must open our eyes and refuse to be deceived by empty promises or handouts during elections. A government’s policies can either build a nation or destroy it, and right now, ours are destroying us.

I just hope that one day, we will rise from our slumber, demand accountability, and finally see a government that truly puts the people first. Until then, we must keep speaking out and pushing for change because we simply cannot continue like this.