As Tinubu’s first year in office comes to a close, Nigeria remains a nation in flux. While progress has been made in some areas, significant challenges persist. The president’s leadership style and controversial policies, most recently being the Cybersecurity Levy, have sparked intense debate, and the country’s future trajectory remains uncertain 

As President Bola Tinubu marks his first anniversary in office, Nigeria remains a nation at a crossroads. The former Lagos governor and veteran politician campaigned on a promise to revitalize Africa’s most populous country, but his first year has been marked by both significant achievements and daunting challenges.

Tinubu’s administration has implemented economic reforms, including privatization and measures to boost foreign investment. While critics argue that the benefits have largely accrued to the wealthy elite, supporters point to improved macroeconomic indicators and a renewed sense of investor confidence. However, the reforms have also sparked intense debate, with many arguing that they perpetuate inequality and favor corporate interests over social welfare.

Few weeks after the President’s inauguration, prices of food items, transportation, and essential goods skyrocketed. Hunger, starvation and lamentation have become the order of the day. Despite the worsening state of electricity supply, tariffs have also been increased. The ex- change rate has worsened, thereby making naira worthless.

The president’s controversial policies have also ignited fierce criticism, particularly his proposed “Social Media Regulation Bill”, which opponents see as a thinly veiled attempt to muzzle free speech and silence political dissent. Furthermore, his administration’s handling of the ongoing minimum wage crisis has drawn wide- spread condemnation. Workers have been protesting for months, demanding a living wage, but the government has refused to budge, sparking accusations of insensitivity and disdain for the working class.

Despite promises to tackle corruption, Tinubu’s anti-corruption crusade has yielded mixed results. Despite the decision of the country’s antigraft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reopen money laundering cases against 13 former governors and some former ministers, with the amounts involved running into over N853.8bn, many argue that the campaign has been selective and politically motivated. Critics often point to the president’s own controversial past and alleged corruption within his inner circle, which has gone unaddressed.

On the security front, Nigeria’s land- scape remains treacherous, with Boko Ha- ram’s insurgency continuing to ravage the northeast and banditry and kidnapping for ransom becoming increasingly prevalent. Tinubu’s response has been criticized for being heavy-handed and ineffective, with many calling for a more nuanced approach that addresses the root causes of insecurity.

As Tinubu’s first year in office comes to a close, Nigeria remains a nation in flux. While progress has been made in some areas, significant challenges persist. The president’s leadership style and controversial policies, most recently being the Cybersecurity Levy, have sparked intense debate, and the country’s future trajectory remains uncertain. As Nigeria looks ahead, one thing is clear: Tinubu’s success or failure will have far-reaching implications for the continent and the diaspora