President Bola Tinubu’s first media engagement since his inauguration was both insightful and revealing. For a man of his age, he demonstrated impressive mental alertness, though his physical frailty was evident. If the President was not prepped with advance questions, he deserves credit for performing better than during the campaigns. However, the session fell short of the robust and challenging exchanges seen in the British Parliament’s Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) or the White House Briefing Room in the United States.
The Format: A Missed Opportunity
The media chat featured seven journalists who posed 12 questions over an hour. Reuben Abati, serving as the moderator, began with remarks about recent stampedes at food distribution events, leading to the first question. President Tinubu blamed the organizers for poor planning and criticized Nigerians for their behavior, contrasting it with his personal experiences of distributing food in Ikoyi without incident.
The topics addressed included fuel subsidy removal, debt servicing, insecurity, inflation, foreign direct investment, tax reforms, food security, and corruption—predictable areas of focus. However, glaring omissions included foreign affairs, particularly Tinubu’s leadership of ECOWAS amidst the exit of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The crisis marked a significant misstep under his chairmanship, yet journalists failed to question him about it.
Missed Follow-Up Questions
Notable gaps emerged in follow-ups, which were sparse despite the need for clarity. For example, Tinubu’s assertion that the government has met its obligations without oil revenues over the past three months was not interrogated further. This could have led to critical discussions about the NNPC’s management, oil theft, and the implications for Nigeria’s fiscal health.
Similarly, his comments on controversial tax reforms, including a proposed VAT sharing formula, were glossed over. These reforms have sparked significant public debate, but the President failed to provide a detailed explanation or address concerns.
Addressing Corruption
Maupe Ogun-Yusuf of Channels Television raised the issue of corruption, which remains a core challenge for Nigeria. Tinubu linked corruption to basic needs like school fees, suggesting that his policies, such as the student loan scheme, aim to reduce such pressures. However, this oversimplifies the motivations behind large-scale corruption, which often involves amassing wealth for personal or generational benefits.
A Step Forward, But Room for Improvement
While Tinubu’s willingness to engage directly with Nigerians is commendable, the format of the media chat lacked the depth and rigor needed to address critical national issues. The absence of tough follow-ups and the omission of key topics, such as ECOWAS and domestic political crises like Rivers State, undermined the session’s effectiveness.
The President’s effort is a step in the right direction, but Nigerians deserve more comprehensive and transparent engagements. A future where leaders face the State House press corps for unscripted, detailed questioning would mark a significant leap forward in accountability and governance.
