In a nation as endowed as Nigeria, it is a travesty that we continue to witness the weaponization of poverty by those entrusted with governance. The recent distribution of “palliatives” to student union leaders across the country is yet another chapter in this appalling narrative. This action reeks of selective appeasement, thinly veiled bribery, and an outright refusal to address the structural issues that have plunged millions of Nigerians into destitution.
The Nigerian government’s proclivity for short-term handouts in the name of “palliatives” is both retrogressive and counterproductive. Rather than developing and implementing policies that will tackle the root causes of poverty—unemployment, poor education, corruption, and failing infrastructure—it opts to dispense breadcrumbs to a select few while the majority languish in despair. This approach not only insults the intelligence of Nigerians but also deepens the socioeconomic divide.
The recent case of palliatives sent to student union leaders is particularly troubling. What does this action signify? Is it an attempt to curry favor with the youth? Is it a strategy to silence dissent from one of the most vocal and politically active demographics? Whatever the intent, it is an affront to the principles of good governance and accountability. The distribution of these so-called palliatives is nothing short of bribery and corruption, aimed at fostering compliance rather than addressing the systemic failures that necessitate such handouts in the first place.
Nigeria’s poverty rate is staggering. According to recent statistics, over 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. This is not a problem that can be solved by distributing foodstuffs or cash to a few individuals. It requires bold, transformative policies that prioritize job creation, education reform, healthcare accessibility, and infrastructural development. It requires a government that sees its citizens as partners in progress, not as tools to be manipulated with token gestures.
Palliatives, by their very nature, are temporary measures designed for emergencies. They are not a substitute for sound governance. The consistent use of palliatives as a means of governance in Nigeria underscores a fundamental lack of vision and an unwillingness to invest in long-term solutions. It is a failure of leadership, plain and simple.
The Nigerian youth deserve better. The Nigerian people deserve better. Instead of distributing palliatives to student leaders, the government should engage them in meaningful dialogues about the future of this country. Instead of bribing citizens with selective handouts, it should invest in policies that empower all Nigerians. A nation cannot progress when its leaders prioritize optics over outcomes, and temporary fixes over sustainable change.
We call on the Nigerian government to abandon its “government of palliatives” approach and embrace true governance. This entails addressing corruption head-on, allocating resources equitably, and formulating policies that uplift the masses, not just a privileged few. It is time to stop playing politics with people’s lives and start building a Nigeria that works for everyone.
Nigerians are watching. The world is watching. The era of tokenism must end. It is time for accountability, transparency, and real leadership. Anything less is an insult to the resilience and potential of the Nigerian people.
