Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), emphasized the need for consistent policies to foster national development. Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) Annual General Conference in Lagos, Okonjo-Iweala urged policymakers to maintain economic and social policies while implementing further reforms to ensure steady progress.
In her keynote address, themed “Pressing Forward: A National Posture for Rebuilding Nigeria,” the former finance minister criticized the tendency to discard policies with each new administration. She referred to this practice as the “not-in-my-administration syndrome,” warning that it hampers continuity and development.
“Nigeria is not where it should be today,” she stated, noting that despite over 60 years of independence, the nation still struggles with basic issues like nation-building. Instead of playing the blame game, Okonjo-Iweala called for a focus on tangible actions to address both current and future challenges.
Acknowledging the global and local difficulties, she stressed the importance of a “social contract” across political and societal lines. This agreement, she argued, would safeguard key economic and social policies from being altered by new administrations unless changed through a national referendum. “Certain things in our economy and society must remain untouchable,” she said, adding that such stability is crucial for long-term growth and reform.
The WTO chief also addressed the issue of governance, stating that consistent principles on security, macroeconomic stability, and national development should be agreed upon and institutionalized. “Once we reach consensus on these issues, they should be enshrined in law or the Constitution to prevent unnecessary tampering,” she advised.
Regarding economic management, Okonjo-Iweala cautioned against using the Central Bank for political purposes, such as manipulating interest rates or exceeding printing limits, which can fuel inflation. On security, she decried the politicization of insecurity, accusing some political actors of instigating unrest for personal gain, which has led to the current crisis. She also highlighted organized crude oil theft as a severe threat to Nigeria’s economic health, urging the adoption of technology to track and stop these illegal activities.
In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the rule of law and the principles of separation of powers. Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the same conference, Tinubu stressed the importance of upholding democratic ideals and tolerating lawful dissent.
He urged Nigerian lawyers and citizens to collaborate with his administration in creating a better future, noting that the country cannot continue on its current path if it aims for sustainable development. Tinubu acknowledged that the necessary reforms and tough decisions may produce short-term hardships but expressed confidence that these actions would bring relief to Nigerians in the near future.
The President also praised the Supreme Court for upholding democratic values, citing its recent decision to grant financial autonomy to local governments as a step towards better governance. He called on the nation to remain optimistic despite challenges, pledging that his administration’s policies would soon lead to positive outcomes.