Kehinde Fajobi
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritise Nigerians’ welfare amid challenging economic conditions.
Speaking at the 2024 Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) conference, Osinbajo called for stronger social welfare programmes and accessible healthcare to support citizens facing rising costs in essentials like food, transport, and housing.
“The cost of living is overwhelming Nigerians’ hope for survival,” Osinbajo remarked, emphasising that food insecurity, particularly for children, is worsening.
He stressed the importance of bolstering social support systems to address these issues.
Highlighting literacy concerns, especially in northern Nigeria, he said that over 67% of women in the region are illiterate.
“A country where half the population is socially and economically disempowered due to illiteracy will find development difficult, if not impossible,” he cautioned.
Osinbajo advocated for widespread social interventions to tackle systemic problems like illiteracy and economic disempowerment.
Reflecting on the conference’s theme, “Dream, Dare, Do,” Osinbajo commended WIMBIZ’s commitment to resilience and impactful change.
“It’s not just about having dreams or starting enterprises—it’s about resilience and the courage to persevere through challenges,” he stated.
He also noted the unique pressures on Nigerian entrepreneurs, who often feel forced to project an image of success beyond their business’s actual capacity.
“There is immense pressure on Nigerian business owners to sustain an appearance of success that their businesses cannot always support,” he added.