MY

COVENANT
WITH
NIGERIANS

ATIKU ABUBAKAR
Why it is necessary to offer myself again to provide the leadership Nigeria desires

I n 2019, I presented a Policy document, The A ku Plan, which sought to provide a dis nct economic,
poli cal, and social development road map and Get Nigeria Working Again. It envisioned economic
prosperity in a united and secure Nigeria. The outcome of the 2019 elec ons was indeed a lost
opportunity to put in place the much-needed purposeful leadership that would work to achieve the noble
objec ves of the A ku Plan for Nigerians in 2019.

The failure of leadership by the APC-led government is staring every Nigerian in the face as the country's
development challenges progressively worsen and assume frightening dimensions.

As the following paragraphs illustrate, at no other me has the poverty in the quality of leadership and
governance been worse than it has been since 2015

1. Nigeria's unity has never been threatened like now. Today, an increasing number of Nigerian
ci zens openly challenge their allegiance to Nigeria's corporate existence through violent
agita ons and misguided demands for ethno-regional autonomy because of widespread feelings
of marginaliza on and neglect.

2. Nigeria has never been so overwhelmed by insecurity in all parts of the country. Sadly, we have
reached a point where the func ons of the state have been usurped by separa sts, bandits,
insurgents, and terrorists.
 3. Despite her vast resources, Nigeria has remained one of the poorest and unequal countries in the
world. Our economy is fragile and vulnerable. Job losses, eroding incomes and lack of ci zens' access to
basic ameni es have pushed more than 90 million people below the poverty line.

4. The public educa on system is ill-equipped and has consistently underperformed, keeping millions of
our children out of school and producing graduates with skills and competencies which are not aligned
to the needs of our communi es and our industries. Incessant industrial ac on by the Academic Staff
Union of Universi es (ASUU) and other Unions of Educa onal ins tu ons has undoubtedly affected
the quality of our workforce with far reaching consequences on the economy.

5. Nigeria has con nued to operate a faulty, complex federal structure with a high degree of centraliza on
at the centre. The Federal Government has succeeded in accumula ng many responsibili es which
belong to the other [weaker] levels of government. The Federal government appropriates, along with
these responsibili es, huge resources to the detriment of the states and local governments.

It has become fashionable for the APC-led government to blame the opposi on and external factors for
Nigeria’s economic woes. The evidence, however, is overwhelming that the country’s under-performance is
largely a ributable to leadership failures in the management of the state. The APC-led government lacks the
cri cal competencies to ini ate and implement innova ve solu ons to our problems and deliver on their
mandate with the desired impact.

Today, another opportunity is presen ng itself for Nigerians to ensure the emergence of an experienced,
courageous, and result-focused leader to find a way through our country’s tough situa on and make a posi ve
difference.
I am offering myself again to provide the desired leadership. I have a history of economic reform and
poli cal transforma on. As a private businessman of many years, I have a deep understanding of our
economy and its challenges. As a Vice President of the Federal Republic (1999-2007), our administra on
demonstrated willingness to reform, and to implement a formal development agenda: the NEEDS AND
SEEDS. As head of the economic management team, I was instrumental to the design of a private sector
revival strategy and advocated for the opening up of the economy for private sector investments in the IT
sector. Today it is undeniably the fastest growing services sector in the Nigerian economy.

I, therefore, have the pleasure to present to you, once again, my vision for a united, prosperous society in
which all ci zens are able to realize their full poten als in a secure and decent environment.

This document spells out our commitment to a 5-point development agenda that seeks to:
1. Restore Nigeria's unity through equity, social jus ce as well as co-opera on and consensus amongst
our heterogenous peoples.
2. Establish a strong and effec ve democra c government that guarantees the safety and security of
life and property.
3. Build a strong, resilient, and prosperous economy that creates jobs and wealth and li s the poor out
of poverty.
4. Promote a true federal system which will provide for a strong federal government to guarantee
na onal unity while allowing the federa ng units to set their own priori es.
5. Improve and strengthen the educa on system to equip its recipients with the educa on and skills
required to be compe ve in the new global order which is driven by innova on, science, and
technology and to lead healthy, produc ve, meaningful lives'.
I believe the founda on of any government is rooted in a ‘social contract.’ Government emerges and finds
legi macy in the expecta on that it shall work for the common good par cularly to defend man’s
inalienable rights to life, property, and dignity.

The a empt to uphold and promote the social contract is manifested in the deliberate efforts to meet and
give prac cal expression to the terms of the contract through policies and programmes in all aspects of life
that will guarantee the common good for all. This Policy Document is therefore a collec on of my policy
commitments and responsibili es under the social contract. The proposed policies and programmes in this
document are not subject to the electoral cycle; but involve short, medium, and long-term strategies.

I summarise these as ‘My Covenant with Nigerians.’

A ku Abubakar GCON
(Wazirin Adamawa)
Our 5-point Development Agenda
 “
To foster a united, secure and
prosperous Nigeria in which all ci zens
can live a happy, healthy and
produc ve life
 ““
To provide the appropriate
poli cal leadership to implement a
robust development agenda and
facilitate the realisa on of our
vision.
PART 1: Building the Economy of Our Dream forProsperity
Our economic agenda has an over-arching objec ve of providing a more hospitable
environment for businesses to thrive and create jobs and wealth for Nigerian ci zens.

Our Agenda is guided by three basic principles

· Re-affirm the cri cality of private sector leadership and greater private sector
par cipa on in development; While reposi oning the public sector to focus on its
core responsibility of facilita on and enabling the appropriate legal and regulatory
framework for rapid economic and social development.

· Break government monopoly in all infrastructure sectors, including the refineries, rail
transporta on and power transmission and give private investors a larger role in
funding and managing the sectors, thus emula ng the benefits accrued in the oil &
gas and telecoms sectors.

· Allow the market greater leverage in determining prices. This way we shall eliminate
the persistent price distor ons occasioned by current interven onist exchange rate
management policy. Government interven on, where absolutely necessary, will be
done responsibly and judiciously.
 Break Government
Private Sector Leadership Leveraging the Market in Price Se ng Monopoly in key sectors

Private Sector is Market allowed to func on in Private Sector will be

supported to provide determining key prices to eliminate encouraged to invest in
cri cal leadership and persistent price distor ons occasioned sectors hitherto exclusively
drive growth. by current interven onist policy or predominantly
In return it provides funds, government-owned.
creates jobs and wealth Government interven on will be done
and li s the poor out judiciously and responsibly
of poverty
Our economic agenda will seek to alter the current trajectory of the Nigerian economy
and:
th
• Build a compe ve, and resilient economy and remain the largest in Africa and 15
largest globally with a GDP per capita raised from the current levels of approximately
US$2,000 to US$5,000 by 2030.

• Achieve respectable economic growth: Aspire to a growth performance above the

average for sub-Sahara Africa,

• Achieve diversifica on: A diversified economy with strong linkages amongst key
sectors notably oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing and MSMEs to strengthen the
produc ve base of the economy.

• Expand the export base: Nigeria's export basket shall consist of manufactures,
processed agricultural goods, refined petroleum, and gas products.

• Build a New Economy: A knowledge-based economy in which a highly developed ICT

sector, with wide applica on in commerce, educa on, health, and other areas of
human endeavour, plays a significant role.

• Achieve inclusion: An economy that provides opportuni es for jobs, generates

incomes and li the poor out of poverty.
 Exports of
25,000 Africa’s processed goods
MW of leading FDI 25-40% of total
Power des na on
exports

Refining 3 million
capacity of 2m new jobs,
Stock of barrels of 10 million poor
Infrastructure li ed out of
crude poverty annually
65% of GDP

Per Capita GDP Manufacturing:

raised to 30% of GDP
US$5,000
 160 160 160
80 220 80 220 80 220

0 280 0 280 0 280

Ins tu ons PPP for Infrastructure Stable macroeconomic

environment

1. Reform of public ins tu ons to 1. Accelerate investment to double 1. Deepen monetary and fiscal
make them stronger and more our infrastructure stock to reforms to promote a stable
suppor ve and facilita ng approximately 50% of GDP by macro-economic environment
2027 and 70% by 2030
2. Enhanced private sector access 2. Monetary and fiscal policies
to credit will be priori zed 2. Power sector reform will be a shall ensure low infla on
cri cal policy priority rate, stable exchange rate and
3. Regulatory ins tu ons will be interest rates that will be
strengthened and their 3. By 2030, Nigeria shall make giant suppor ve of businesses’
independence will be shielded strides in diversifying its sources quest for credit
from poli cal interference of power and delivering up to
25,000 MW
The 7 Strategic Steps to Implement the Economic
Development Agenda

Optimize potentials
of real, non-oil
sectors

Op mise the fiscal

space and generate Harnessing
more revenue for the Poten als
development. of the
New Economy
1
#
Liberalize and
De-regulate
Economy: break
01 Review Incentive
Structure
government
monopoly in many
Moving
sectors
04 Closer to the
Provide
Private
Sector 02 selective and
time-bound
Provide efficient protection to
infrastructure to priority
reduce
production cost 03 enterprises
2
# Invest to Increase Stock and Improve the
Quality of Infrastructure

Where we are
Of annual GDP:
0.5% amount spent on
infrastructure development.
Compared to the
standard 3%

Core infrastructure stock

35% as % of GDP. Compare
South Africa 87%,
Indonesia 70% and India
58%

7,000 Generation Capacity

MW of Power Sector

Annual Investment
US$ required to bridge
35b
current gap
Our goal shall be to double our infrastructure stock to approximately 70% of GDP by 2030. This quantum
leap would require a commitment to invest a minimum of US$35 billion annually in the next 5 years to
finance all the core public infrastructure projects. We envisage this will come substan ally from the private

25,000 Target Power Genera on Capacity mix 2m Oil refining infrastructure: Priori ze
of non-renewable energy (hydro, solar,
barrels investment to double refining
MW nuclear) and other thermal fuels (coal,
biofuel) in addi on to natural gas. per day
capacity to two million barrels per
day by 2027.

Transmission Capacity over the Short- Rail Infrastructure: Improve freight-

10,000 Term. Target 25,000 MW over the 5,000 based rail efficiency and achieve
15,000 long-term
Km accelerated construc on of up to
5,000 Km of modern railway lines.
MW

1million Private-sector led delivery of low 70,000 Paved road network from 60,000
Km which would lead to a
Housing to medium housing
Km reduc on in untarred road
network to 120,000 km
Units
Ins tu onal reforms:
1. Establish an Infrastructure Development Unit [IDU] in the
Presidency, with a coordina ng func on and a specific mandate
of working with the MDAs to fast track and drive the process of
infrastructure development.

2. Strengthen the capacity of the ICRC to promote Public Private

Partnerships (PPP) in the construc on and management of
infrastructure across the country.

3. Priva ze all government-owned refineries and issue new licenses

for greenfield investment in crude oil refining.

4. Open up the power sector from genera on to transmission for

private investments.
Innova
: ve Financing of Infrastructure
1. Facilitate a review of the financial, legal, and regulatory environment
to promote private investment in roads, rail, housing, and power.

2. Incen vize, with tax breaks, a consor um of private sector ins tu ons
to establish an Infrastructure Debt Fund [IDF] to primarily mobilize
domes c and interna onal private resources for the financing and
delivery of large infrastructure projects across all the sectors of the
economy.

3. The IDF will have an ini al investment capacity of approximately

US$20 billion.

4. Create an Infrastructure Development Credit Guarantee Agency

to complement the opera on of the IDF by de-risking investments
in infrastructure to build investor confidence in taking risk and
inves ng capital.
 Policies and Measures to Op mize the Growth Poten als
3
#
of Real Sectors- including Agriculture, Manufacturing
and MSMEs

Where We Are
· The key sectors of the economy, namely agriculture (25% of GDP), oil and
gas (9% of GDP and 80% of external revenues) and manufacturing (9% of
GDP) are currently under-performing and opera ng below poten als.

· Agricultural produc on is constrained by lack of capacity resul ng from

inadequate access to (a) finance, (b) appropriate technology & high yielding
seeds, (c) storage, (d) irriga on. This low storage capacity leaves 95 percent
of the produce to consump on and wastage.

· The manufacturing sector faces significant challenges with regards to the

investment climate as businesses struggle to survive in a very hos le
environment and an uncompe ve economy occasioned by deficit in
infrastructure, electricity supply, corrup on, access to finance, poli cal
instability.

· Despite its huge contribu on to GDP (approx. 50%) and jobs, the MSMEs
sector is constrained by lack of access to finance and by poor infrastructure,
inconsistency in government policies, poor support (business development
services) access to market, mul ple taxa on and obsolete technology.

· Of recent, the oil and gas sector has been a drag, showing a decline in 6
out of nine quarters since 2019.

· Major growth drivers are in the services sector- especially telecommunica ons.
We envision a new Nigeria without crude oil in which agriculture, manufacturing and MSMEs
shall be the growth drivers.

• Specifically,
• A fast- growing and productive non-oil sector economy with strong linkages amongst
key sectors notably agriculture, manufacturing and MSMEs to strengthen the productive
base of the economy. Intersectoral linkages must be created for resilience and sustainability.

• A commercially driven, technology-proficient and competitive agriculture that

will ensure food and income security for a growing population and contribute
significantly to Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification and export of non-oil
commodities.

• Food security index to improve to 70% from current 40.1%. Food import share in
total import currently estimated at 20% to reduce to 5-10%

• A manufacturing sector that is competitive, nationally, and globally, looking inwards

to promote value-addition. This development will be key to reducing informality
among MSMEs and to linking the rural primary economy to that of the city

• A dynamic oil and gas sector that is fully integrated into the economy through
linkages with agriculture, manufacturing and MSMEs

• A knowledge- based economy with wide application of ICT in health, education,

commerce, agriculture and industry.
 3a
#

De -risking Agro- Modernization

Commodities
Land Reform Exchanges Access to Processing Mec hanization
Finance Clusters and Irriga on

Collaborate with Strengthen the Improve agriculture Encourage Improve farming

the States in the markets for sector’s access to Investment in produc vity
design and agricultural financial services, Agro-processing through
implementa on of commodi es through NIRSAL, by Cluster by offering moderniza on and
robust and de-risking lending to concessional mechaniza on of
sustainable land Orderly priva za on the sector by financing, tax small-scale
reforms of the Nigerian commercial and breaks and seed agriculture to
Commodi es development banks funds interna onal levels
Exchange
Elevate irriga on to
Facilitate a top policy priority
establishment of and long-term
private sector investment priority
Commodity and promote all
Marke ng year-round food
Corpora ons produc on through
expansion of
irriga on facili es
#
3b
Policy objec ves What we shall do
1. Achieve a sustained 1. Ensure that all major
increase in manufacturing economic and investment
output from 9% to 30% of policies are formulated a er
GDP by 2025 sufficient prior consulta on
with the organized private
2 Reduce the sector’s sector
dependence on imported
raw materials. Looking 2. Work with the Manufacturers
inwards will promote value Associa on of Nigeria (MAN),
addi on chambers of commerce and
other relevant stakeholders to
3. Achieve a diversified iden fy ways to reduce the
produc on structure with cost of borrowing, tackle
more processing of domes c incidences of mul ple taxa on
raw materials and improve availability of foreign
exchange for legi mate produc on
4. Promote the compe veness input purchases
of the sector na onally and
interna onally 3. Review of import duty on raw
materials that are available in
the country and on imported
machinery for local produc on

4. Support and vigorously enforce

the buy- made-in-Nigeria ini a ve
by ensuring compliance with the
relevant execu ve order by
Federal Government procurement
agencies
 Promo ng the MSMEs
3c
#

Our investment policy shall seek to strengthen MSMEs by removing all iden fied impediments to their growth and
ensuring that they have strong linkage with the produc ve sectors of the economy.

We shall priori ze efforts for an easier formaliza on process of our MSMEs including special fiscal incen ves for
registra on, simplifica on of the registra on process and less burdensome tax filing requirement

De-risking Lending Productivity Growth Export Orientation

● Extend mandate of NIRSAL to cover de- ● We shall ensure that approvals neededfor ● We shall provide support through the
risking of MSMEs lending the creation of new businesses such as NEPC and NIPC to entrepreneurs who
● Increase the MSME funding window land acquisition, property registration and experience restricted access to external
currently, N200 billion to N500 billion construction permits are simplified, markets for goods and services
streamlined and are not subject to ● We shall promote the harmonization of
● Promote awareness of the National
excessively complex bureaucratic State and federal tax laws to avoid over
Collateral Registry of Nigeria and further
procedures taxing businesses
simplify the Collateral registration process
● We shall enhance the efficiency and ● We shall pursue an aggressive regime of
● MSMEs and SMPs (Small and Medium
effectiveness of SMEDAN in the delivery tax credits to critical sectors of the
Practitioners) will be given special fiscal
of business support/advisory services to economy
advantages including tax breaks and
MSMEs
rebates to accelerate business
formalization
 Promo ng the Oil & Gas Sector
3d
#

Policy objectives What we shall do

Expand oil and gas reserves and 1 Promote Gas-Power Sector and Gas-Industry linkages
1 boost upstream and downstream
production
Create a transparent incentive regime for purposeful growth of the national
2 reserve base for oil and gas

More transparency and efficiency 3 Incentivize building of modular refineries in all parts of thecountry
2 in management of institutions in
the oil and gas industry
Re-consider the introduction of the Marginal Fields bid round and Blocks’ Bid
4 Round

Implementing the PIA to create a 5 Transparency and accountability in the operation of NNPC:
3 functional, fair and transparent Limited and associated enterprises
upstream and downstream oil and Deploy modern technology in pipeline surveillance and other security
gas market
6
enhancements

7 Intensify our engagement with local communities in the oil production zones
#
4
· Establish a ‘Technology Support Programme’ (TSP) to
support the tech and ICT sector to meet the demand
for technology currently being met by foreign tech,
especially in the area of so ware development.

· Facilitate the development of a more effec ve and

efficient Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) framework
that also allows for paten ng of so ware in Nigeria.
We shall review current framework which is ill
equipped for contemporary IPR issues and replace it
with legisla on for a single IPR organiza on.

· Promote, vigorously, ICT literacy at all levels in our

schools. The teaching of ICT shall be made
compulsory in our schools -if we are to progress and
develop.

· Implement a four-year plan for the digi za on of

major government opera ons such as procurement
in order to achieve transparency and reduce leakages.

· Strengthen the use of business intelligence so ware

to analyse public service produc vity.

· Review, with melines, partnership agreements with

experienced foreign incubators and accelerators to
i m p ro ve t h e p e n e t ra o n o f te c h n o l o g i ca l
advancements in the country.
 Policies and Measures to Expand the Export Base
5
#
of the Economy

· Undertake a comprehensive review, to assess the efficacy and accessibility of the Non-oil
Export S mula on Facility, Duty Draw Back, Manufacturing-in-Bond Schemes, Pioneer
Tax Status and other tax incen ves that are targeted at medium and large firms.

· Embolden the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) in the establishment of
Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the 6 geo-poli cal zones.

· Transform some of the current Industrial Development Centres (IDCs) into Industrial clusters.

· Deliver on our pledges to create a hospitable investment climate, including stability in the
macro-economic environment and delivery of world class infrastructure and policy coherence
and consistency.

· Strive to influence the course of intra-Africa trade by strengthening our posi on in the
ECOWAS and AfCFTA.

· Con nuously engage with the organized private sector to iden fy how best Nigeria can
harness the benefits of AfCFTA.
6
# Increasing Flow of FDI into Non-Oil Sector:

By 2030, we shall increase the inflow of direct foreign investment to a

minimum of 2.5% of our GDP

Working towards Guaranteeing a level

achieving the lowest 2030
playing field, full repatria on,
corporate income tax non-expropria on and easier
rate in Africa land tling

Strengthening the credits Steamlining the mul plicity of,

guaranteed ini a ves o en discre onary, incen ves for
of infra-Credit by investment and simplifying
substan ally increaing the associated complex
its capital base legisla ve and regulatory
framework

Ensuring that the gran ng

of /qualifica on for tax
Implemen ng measures incen ves is automa c,
to engender macro- according to predetermined,
economic stability sustainably and uniform, and clear criteria
promote the global compe veness
of the economy: EoDB ranking: 100
WEF Compe veness ranking: 100
.
 Op mizing the Fiscal Space to Generate More Revenues
7
#
for Development

Where we Are Where We Want to Be

• Revenues are small in absolute terms: A fiscal regime that is stable and
pose significant risks to Nigeria’s long-term predictable and that can
growth and development. substan ally narrow the gap
between the na onal revenue yield
• Nigeria’s tax to GDP ra o is abysmally low and na onal expenditure.
at 6%, is significantly below poten al and
is one of the lowest in the world.

• Nigeria’s development expenditure needs

((14% of output) dwarf the resources
provided by revenue collected by the
public sector (10.3% of na onal output)

• Rising debt and high debt service to

revenue ra o. In the fiscal year 2021
more than 80% of total revenue was
needed for debt service whereas the
sustainable ra o by global standards is 20-
30 percent.
 Our
Fiscal
Strategies

01 02 03 04

Domestic: Promoting Export Improving Financing

Reforms to Growth to Spending Projects through
improve IGR improve FX Efficiency and strategic
earnings Blocking partnerships with the
Leakages Private Sector
 Our
Fiscal
Strategies

05 06 07 08

Bonds: Diaspora, Pool revenues Create fiscal Re-build fiscal-

Project-tied from GoEs and buffers to absorb social contract
(SUKUK) etc. consolidate shocks and re-build
Capital Exp. integrity

ECA –October 2019

Part 2: Human Capital Development

“I will like to see

a country where our people
live and work in a safe environment
“
that guarantees the highest level
of economic and social
empowerment
 Where We Are Policy Objectives Strategic Pillars

• Nigeria is classified as a low-income • Priori ze human capital • Reposi oning the educa onal system to
country with low human d eve l o p m e nt a s a key facilitate the delivery of the right type of
development. With HDI of 0.539, educa on efficiently and effec vely to
Nigeria is only able to realise 54% of
component of Nigeria’s
all ci zens.
its human development poten al e co n o m i c d e ve l o p m e nt
a n d l a g s s i g n i fi ca nt l y b e h i n d strategy by focussing on 5 • Promo ng research in science and
Republic of Korea (0.916), Turkey strategic pillars technology through the establishment
(0.820), Mexico (0.779), India of a Na onal Research and Innova on
(0.645) and Egypt (0.707) in 2019 Fund
(UNDP, 2022).
• Fostering a robust healthcare system
• High rates of unemployment (33%)
that is comprehensive, qualita ve, and
and under-employment (23%) are
affordable.
indica ve of under-u liza on of
human resources
• Increasing investment to enhance youth
• Poor educa on outcomes. Mean access to opportuni es in educa on,
Years of schooling is 6.7 years which including voca onal and technical
compares unfavourably with South educa on, job crea on and
Africa’s 10.1 years. Expected years of entrepreneurship development
schooling of 10 years similarly programmes.
contrasts with South Africa’s 13.3
years • Implemen ng special interven ons
aimed at:
• Human Development Dimensions o suppor ng the poor, the marginalized
vary between states and regions in and vulnerable groups, including
Nigeria people with physical disabili es and
special needs
o bridging the gender and spa al gaps
that exist in educa on and health
“
I truly believe that
an educated population
forms the backbone for a
progressive and prosperous
society…
“
education is the key
to unlocking opportunity,
prosperity and progress…
education can and
should be this key.
Overview Policy Objectives What we shall do

• Undertake comprehensive reforms

• Improve and strengthen the to streamline functions of agencies
education system to make it in the sector and transfer of
more efficient, more responsibilities for greater
accessible, more qualitative efficiency.
and relevant
• Federal Ministry of Education to
• Work with the States to carry out focus on its core functions of policy
far reaching reforms of the design, standardization, monitoring
system with a view to and evaluation
developing a knowledge-driven
economy • Set up an agency for the regulation
of private tertiary education.
• Promote a “Catch-them-Young”
approach to skill development • Vigorous promotion of Science
and Technical Education to
• Promote an all-inclusive system create skills for the new economy
which will carry along our
citizens with special needs. • Invest to improve access to
qualitative as well as industry-
relevant education with access,
equity and quality receiving
prominent attention

• Increase investment in social

infrastructure by the federal and
state governments
“
No country can truly have
sustainable development without
strong healthy citizens to drive that
process. It is therefore the fundamental
right of every Nigerian, no matter where
they live, to have unrestricted access to
“
optimal and affordable health delivery
service.
 Overview Policy Objectives What we shall do
Nigeria has very poor health sector
biometrics, including infant mortality
(72 deaths per 1,000 births); child
mortality 114 deaths per 1,000 • Our policy thrust will be all embracing and • Ensure a comprehensive reform of the
births); maternal mortality 917 targeted towards a preventive care strategy Federal Ministry of Health and its
deaths per 100,000 births (versus a
world average of 400) by creating a clean environment, agencies. Ministry to focus on policy
modernizing living conditions, carrying out design, standardization, monitoring and
• In 2018, Nigeria had a ratio of 1 doctor to
enlightenment campaigns on healthy living, evaluation.
6000 patients far below the World Health
Organisation (WHO) recommendation of 1
and supporting with curative care through • Accelerate Nigeria’s transition towards
the provision of state-of-the-art healthcare achieving universal access to affordable and
doctor per 600 patient. This must have
facilities in hospitals and in rural clinics quality healthcare services for all by 2030
worsened as a result of the mass exodus
following COVID19
• Ensure universal access to basic maternal • Unlock market potential of the health sector
and child health, reproductive health,
• About 30,000 Nigerians spend US$1.25
by engaging the private sector

billion on medical tourism annually in

immunization and mental health as well as
• Encourage medium and large scale
effective therapies
Europe and Asia since the beginning of pharmaceutical industries for the local
the 21st Century. 60% of that total is spent
• Government will position itself to deal production of essential drugs
on four major areas of healthcare:
proactively with emergency epidemics like
• Expand healthcare professionals to the
Ebola, Lassa, COVID19 and others which
cardiology, orthopedic, renal dialysis frontline and attract Nigerian doctors in the
occasionally afflict the people
issues and cancer diaspora to reverse brain-drain
• About 60 million Nigerians have no access
to clean drinking water and at least 130
million Nigerians live in environments that
are dirty with no proper sanitation facilities

h ps://hopealivehealthcare.org/medical-tourism-in-nigeria/#:~:text=Medical%20tourism%20sta s cs%20in%20Nigeria
Over-arching objec ve:

10m

Li 10 millionfellow
Nigerians out of extreme
Poverty annually
Nigeria does not fare well on
measures of poverty 82.9mn
Nigerians (40% of the popula on)
live at or below the poverty line –
people who spend less than
N376/day or N137,430/yr.

110.2mn Nigerians (55.1% of

popula on) are considered
mul dimensionally poor, judging by
the Mul dimensional Poverty Index
(MPI)

If Interna onal Poverty Benchmarks

are adopted: Nigeria’s General
Poverty incidence ($3.1/day PPP)
rises to about 150mn (75% of the
popula on) and Extreme Poverty
Incidence ($1.9/day PPP) rises to
about 94mn (47%) of the popula on
• Poverty more pervasive in the
Northern regions than in the
South: 15 of the 17 states with
above na onal average poverty
headcount are in northern
Nigeria.

• 72 percent of the extremely

poor live in the North, while
only 28 percent live in the
Southern regions

• At the state level, the poverty

rate ranges from 4.5 percent of
the popula on (Lagos) to 87.7
percent (in Sokoto)
 Stimulating Special and
Capability Human Capital
Economic Targeted
Enhancement Development
Growth Interven ons

Social Protection- Affordable and

Investment in School Feeding
CCT to the quality basic
Infrastructure Programmes
vulnerable education

Increased access
Investment in basic Optimizing and inclusiveness
Micro-Credit and
skills and vocational potentials of real through streaming
Enterprise Support for PWDs
training sectors

Livelihoods Affordable and Optimizing Public works

Diversification in quality basic potentials of programmes in rural
Agriculture healthcare MSMEs communities
 Pillar 1: S mulate Growth to Create Economic
Opportuni es

• Increase investments in economic

and social infrastructure including
roads, railways, power and housing.
• A ract investments into the real
sectors of the economy, especially
agriculture which currently is the
domain of the poor
• Improve produc vity in the MSMEs
sector which provides safety nets
to many families: facilitate
enterprises’ access to finance and
business development services
 Pillar 2: Invest in Human Capital Development

The FGN will support states and local

governments with matching funds, grants,
bursary and scholarships to:
• Improve equity and access with
women, physically challenged
persons and economically
disadvantaged groups
• Improve access to basic healthcare
service by poor and the vulnerable in
society through innova ve schemes
–such as the mobile healthcare
delivery scheme (Similar to the
Indian and Australian Bush Doctors)
• Increase investment in basic skills
and voca onal training for
marginalized and vulnerable
popula ons
 Pillar 3. Invest to Enhance Capability of the Poor
and Vulnerable

• Gradually expand the Social Protec on

Spending currently es mated at
approximately 3.1% of GDP to 7% by 2027

• Ins tute microcredit schemes for home-

based income genera ng ac vi es
(survival oriented ac vi es) o en
directed to poor women who are
generally constrained by family
responsibili es and social barriers from
entering the labour market as
wageworker

• Enhance micro enterprises’ access to

credit through asset tling and group
collateral.

• Link voca onal skills provision to other

s o c i a l p ro te c o n p ro g ra m m e s to
minimize dependence of beneficiaries on
handouts
 Pillar 4. Implement Special and Targeted Interven ons
in Support of the Poor

• Review and expand scope

of the School Feeding
Programme

• Undertake public work

programmes to increase
availability and improve
efficiency of rural
infrastructure

• Enhancing the access of the

poor to educa on and income
genera ng ac vi es
 Where We Are Policy Objectives What We Shall Do

• Close to 23 million people are • Stimulate the growth of the Nigerian economy • Launch a new, more efficient, cost-effective
unemployed in 2021, 7 million with a view to enhancing its capacity to provide and sustainable national Entrepreneurship
more than in 2017 opportunities for the economically active Development and Job Creation Programme

• Over 5 million new entrants join the

population in participate in the economy through
wage or self-employment
• Target the creation of up to 3 million self-
labour force each year BUT economy and wage-paying employment opportunities
does not have the capacity to bsorb • Facilitate the emergence of an entrepreneurial in the private sector annually
more than 10% of these…meaning the class especially amongst the youth population
that would usher in new jobs, new knowledge
• Target all categories of youth, including
unemployed share of the labour force graduates, early school leavers as well as
more than tripled in less than a decade: and the utilization of ICT the massive numbers of uneducatedyouth
from 5.1% in 2010 to 18.8% in 2017, • Partner with the private sector to identify high- who are currently not in schools,
currently at 33% in 2021 demand skills for skills acquisition and vocational employment or training
• Unemployment for women and young and entrepreneurial training
• Create incubation centres, clusters and
people is at 35.2% and 54.3% • Establishing training programmes linked with industrial/commercial hubs to provide a
market place for MSMEs and SMPs
respectively in 2021 certain sectors that may lead to full-time
• 70% of unemployed youths are permanent employment
• Champion the repositioning and

uneducated and unskilled • Reduce gradually the rate of unemployment and streamlining the activities of the existing
Federal and State Government Job Creation
under-employment to a single digit by 2025
Agencies
The Informal Sector Pathway to jobs

Re-launch the National Open

The School to Jobs Pathway
Apprenticeship Programme (NOAP) with
special focus on young men and women Support the formal TVET system and
who may not have had the opportunity to re-position the technical colleges and
attend school or complete basic education. vocational skills acquisition centres to
This programme will recruit, annually, produce skills and competencies for
100,000 Master Crafts Persons (MCPs) innovation and the creation of new
who will train 1,000,000 apprentices in ideas and products inside enterprises
various trades from where future jobs and future
prosperity will be delivered

3 million
new
The Entrepreneurship Pathway jobs
Speedy passage of the National
annually MSME /ICT Special Entrepreneurship
Pathway
Research and Innovation Fund Bill
Prioritize support to the MSMEs
Grants, loans or equity investments in
across all the economic sectors
small enterprises shall be provided
Facilitate the establishment of the
either as start-up capital or to scale up
SME Venture Capital Fund by the
innovations
private sector
Introduce, and actively promote, a
Facilitate the establishment of the
Graduate Trainee Internship
Financial Innovation Fund
Programme (GTI)
Provide special focus on the ICT
Improve the technical and financial
sector and aggressively market
capacity of the Industrial Training Fund
Nigeria as an outsourcing destination
(ITF)
Actively promote “Nollywood” and
“Kannywood”
Develop sports and sporting facilities
 MSMEs Development for Jobs

A2F POLICY INCENTIVES

Registered MSMEs
41.5m in Nigeria, up from Facilitate a private Entrenching an MSME P r ov i d e s p e c i a l ta x
37 million in 2013 s e c to r- l e d Ve n t u r e Agenda in the reliefs for formal
Capital Fund -US$250 development process at registra on of Micro-
million ini al fund na onal and sub- enterprises
na onal levels
Number of people E sta b lis h Fin a n c ia l E x te n d m a n d a te o f
employed in the sector,
60m Innova on Fund to Strengthen the legal NIRSAL to cover de-
equivalent to 84% incen vize Commercial and ins tu onal risking of MSMEs
of the LF Banks lending to framework for the lending
MSMEs opera on of micro-
finance ins tu ons.
Increase MSMEs Simplify registra on
Contribu on to Funding Window from process and tax filing
49% GDP and 7.3% of N200b to N500b requirements
exports
Part 3: Governance

“
The Nigeria of our dreams
requires cosmopolitan poli cs
and an all-inclusive governance
structure with the essen al capacity
to harnesses our diversity in a just
and fair environment where the
“
rights of all ci zens are protected
by a transparent government that
is not just deliberate and purposeful
but conscious of its duty to the ci zens
and its role and pres ge in
global affairs.
Accountability Transparency
We would erect structures that would There would be a deliberate provision
demand accountability from elected and for unrestricted access to government
appointed government officials at all levels. operations and information to the
Every layer of governance and every citizens. The general public must have
government official would be accountable access to information on government
for their actions and policies. We would policies and programmes.
create a performance measurement
framework and encourage respective
Our Good The Freedom of Information Act would
be strengthened and adhered to
.
government officials to provide answers for
their activities and policies Governance
Anchors
Predictability
Participation
The business of governance is too serious
a business to be left hanging on the faith of It is imperative that citizens participate
chance and uncertainty. There must be a at all levels of their government’s
deliberate and concerted effort, within the decision-making process. Their
confines of the law, targeted at achieving participation would not end with merely
desired national goals. Nigeria is a casting their votes on Election Day.
democratic polity, governed by laws and They would be encouraged to insist and
regulations anchored on the Constitution of ensure that their votes are counted. For
the country. It is therefore, imperative that effective participation in public policy, it
the application of these laws and is essential for citizens to organize
regulations are made not only fair but themselves into credible interest groups
consistent, and thus predictable (professional associations, academic
unions, students’ unions, labour unions,
non-governmental organizations, etc.)
Effectiveness
Make Governments at the
1 Cohesion
Foster the spirit of co-operation
Federal, State and Local levels and consensus in a nation of
leaner and more efficient in diverse ethnic groups, cultures
service delivery by streamlining and religions
their functions
Governance
4 Policy
People
Meet the needs of a rapidly
Objectives 2 Accountability
Make government more
growing population in a accountable and nurture good
speedily changing global Institutionalized democratic
economic environment by governance
bringing decision making as
close as possible to the people
3
All who support the calls
for the restructuring of our federa on
are united in their desire to live
in a society that works be er
and works for its people. They
are also united by their love for
their country, their patrio sm.
Those who do not love their
country would just want it to
break up; they would not be
interested in making Nigeria
work be er.
We shall work with the Na onal Assembly and all other stakeholders, to ini ate
the process of genuine and transparent cons tu onal amendments

Devolve issues bordering on minerals and

mines, internal security including Police,
Devolve delivery of such social and welfare law and order, railways, communications,
issues likeeducation, health, etc. to the transport, environment, land matters, etc
States and Local Governments to the concurrent list

New revenue allocation formula

to be negotiated through the
National Assembly.

Central Government retaining the sole

powers of quality assurance, policy
standardization and implementation. Local Governments to become a true third
tier of government with financial autonomy
 Overview Policy objective What we willdo

• National security is about ensuring the reign of • The policy thrust of an Atiku government will be • Re-activate meaningful registration at birth as a way
peace and stability in the country so that based on good governance, visionary leadership to reduce crime and protectNigerians
national objectives are achieved, and the and politics of inclusiveness that will reduce
citizens’ frustration and alienation and eliminate
• Conduct the next national population census as the
nation’s sovereignty is sustained basis for further development planning
the compulsion to take up arms against the
• Dealing with insurgency using alternative
• National security is linked with vital sectors like society or fellow countrymen. Our priority will be
approaches to conflict resolution, such as Diplomacy;
foreign policy, external defense, economy, to restore the citizen’s confidence in Nigeria as
Intelligence; Improved Border Control; Traditional
education, internal security, healthcare one indivisible, indissoluble, ethnically diverse
Institutions; and Good neighbourliness
delivery, cyber security, science and but strong country to protect them and secure
technology, policing, etc socio-economic benefits • Restructure and Decentralize Security Institutions

• Promote Regional Security Cooperation

• Security challenges have plagued Nigeria’s • Resolve Militancy Issue in the Niger Delta
North East, Middle Belt and Niger Delta
• Improve Civil-Military Relations

• Strengthen the National Security Council

• The current security challenges facing Nigeria
• Handle the North East Development Issues
can be attributed to a large number of factors
including high rate of unemployment, • Deal with Terrorism, Kidnapping and Other Crimes

especially among the youth, illiteracy, extreme

poverty, corruption, bad governance,
discrimination and politics of exclusion, and
religious extremism
• Increased and widespread acts of terrorism,
kidnapping, armed banditry and violent
a acks on innocent ci zens, leading to sharp
decline in agricultural and other economic
ac vi es.
• Increase in insurgent uprisings across the
country with consequences for the economy
and human capital development.
• Series of communal conflicts that lead to
deaths and displacement of Nigerians.
• 2.7 million IDPs in 2020 a rise from 2.1 million
in 2015, largely concentrated in the NE region
of the country.
• Neglect in the welfare of security personnel
and members of their families and lack of
mo va on for them to perform effec vely.
• Grossly understaffed police of 370k+ in a
country of 200million+ people. A clear deficit
of the UN recommenda on of police to
ci zen ra o of 1:450.
• A sense of mistrust between ci zens and
security personnel.
• Ensuring the security of lives, proper es, and the dignity of Nigerians by restructuring and
enhancing the funding of our security agencies as well as retraining of security personnel.

• Restoring merit and professionalism in the processes of recruitment, appointment and

promo ons as enshrined in the acts establishing the security ou its and their extant rules
and regula ons.

• Implemen ng a Special Presiden al Welfare Ini a ve for our security personnel.

• Increasing the number of security personnel to meet the security needs of over 200 million
Nigerians. We shall conduct systema c and guided recruitment exercise of up to one million
personnel into the police force, to combat current security challenges and meet the UN
police to ci zen ra o of 1:450.

• Employing the tools of strategic engagement with state and non-state actors in theatres of
conflict.

• Promo ng Police-Community rela ons to build mutual trust and confidence as a proac ve
strategy for crime preven on and control.

• Streamlining the func ons and opera ons of security ou its like the NSCDC, FRSC, among
others to foster synergy, and intelligence sharing make them more effec ve.
 Overview Policy Objective What We Will Do

• Corruption is one of the major problems • Our policy objectives will emphasize prevention • Champion institutional reforms of anti-corruption
Nigeria is grappling with. It poses critical of corruption rather than detection and agencies and strengthening them for more effective
challenges to the economic and social subsequent sanction. Towards this end, an Atiku
development of our nation government will focus on building institutions
• Launch a comprehensive National Anti-corruption
Strategy that is based on the rule of law, separation
• Corruption not only diverts resources from that will be strong enough not to be manipulated
of powers, neutrality and non-partisanship
legitimate causes, beneficial to the society at by personalities and also build a culture of
large, but denies millions of people their accountability, effectiveness, efficiency and • Strengthen policies and measures for detecting
fundamental freedoms and humanrights transparency. In addition, rigorously enforce corruption through a strong technology infrastructure
• Although past governments had set up judicious use of public resources, with zero that supports the end-to-end operations of
institutions like the EFCC, ICPC, Code of tolerance for nepotism, corruption and poor government businesses for transparency,
Conduct Bureau and Court of Conduct management accountability, efficiency and effectiveness
Tribunals to investigate and prosecute corrupt • Ensure that judgments on corruption cases are fully
officials in courts of law, very little has been followed through and enforced by the appropriate law
achieved in terms of stemming out the enforcement agencies
epidemic
• Review the reward system for public and civil
services

• Strengthen anti-corruption public enlightenment

• Enhance whistleblowing and witness protection
policies

• Promote the rule of law

 Overview Policy Objective What We Will Do

• Nigeria is one of the 193 countries in

the world intricately and • Our foreign policy thrust will have the • Retool Nigeria’s foreign policy instruments
inextricably interdependent on promo on of economic diplomacy • Re-ac va ng the Presiden al Advisory
one another. It is, therefore, as its core, ensuring it affects Council on Foreign Affairs
impera ve that we forge mutually Nigerians’ lives in the most posi ve • Convening of an All-Nigerian Conference
beneficial rela ons with the rest way, while being conscious of the on Foreign Policy to promote na onal
economic and employment consensus on our na onal interest to
• Foreign rela ons are an poten al of every ac vity guide foreign policy
indispensable instrument for the • Providing for a smooth and effec ve
achievement of our na onal running of Nigeria’s diploma c missions
interest through rela ons with the • Implement the Diaspora Commission Act
rest of the world on the one hand, 2017
and for sustainable development, • Strive to a ain the level of economic
na onal economic prosperity and success that should qualify Nigeria to join
domes c peace and security on the the group of major decision-makers on
other the direc on of the global economy
• Promote mul lateral trade
• Maximise gains of par cipa ng in ECOWAS
• Enhance Nigeria’s visibility in the AU
• Enhance Nigeria’s interna onal visibility
and improving its image
• Securing Nigeria’s leadership in world
affairs
• Curb the threat of illicit small arms and
light weapons
• Get Nigerians in the diaspora involved in
na on building
ATIKU TO THE
RESCUE