Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, and the World Bank office in Nigeria have disagreed over the efficacy or otherwise of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.
Governor Mohammed voiced his concerns over the federal government’s policies, blaming them for the worsening economic situation in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch of the Nigeria Development Update Report by the World Bank in Abuja on Thursday, the governor argued that the policies, implemented under President Bola Tinubu administration, have not provided the desired economic relief.
But, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop, countered Governor Mohammed’s position, stating that while the reforms may be tough, they were essential for the country’s long-term growth and stability.
Governor Mohammed also highlighted the financial struggles faced by state governments, stressing that available revenues were insufficient to address the various challenges. “We need a budget plan aligned with economic policies that will alleviate hardship,” he said. “The funds being distributed are inadequate. The report touched on employment, wages, and the fact that a significant portion of Nigerians are in the informal sector. We need to focus on empowering people to be self-employed.”
He further emphasised that the current discontent among Nigerians wasn’t about federal government alone but extends to state and local governments as well. “It is now up to the economic managers and finance experts to steer the country towards improvement,” he concluded.
