Lagos, Nigeria, June 1, 2025 — As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks two years in office under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called on the administration to urgently reset its governance priorities, with a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive development.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA acknowledged some milestones recorded by the administration but emphasized that worsening poverty, weak anti-corruption enforcement, and democratic backsliding remain major concerns.
“President Tinubu came into power at a time when Nigerians were yearning for credible leadership, economic stability, and justice,” Suraju said.
“Two years later, while progress has been made in areas like infrastructure and passport reforms, millions of citizens remain trapped in poverty, insecurity lingers, and anti-corruption enforcement is underwhelming.”
The group praised recent efforts such as legal autonomy for local governments, the creation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, and strides in digital governance but stressed that these achievements are being undermined by inflation, mounting national debt, and ongoing corruption scandals.
HEDA urged the administration to demonstrate stronger political will by ensuring the prosecution of high-profile officials implicated in corruption cases, particularly in key ministries, departments, and agencies.
The group criticized the lack of transparency and poor oversight in social intervention programmes such as the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme.
“The President must prioritize accountability by enforcing the Freedom of Information Act, publishing regular audit reports, and granting full independence to anti-graft agencies,” Suraju stated.
“Lavish spending on luxury items for government officials, religious pilgrimages, and underused assets at a time when education, healthcare, and basic amenities suffer is unjustifiable.”
Commendation for EFCC and Call for Transparency
HEDA commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the recent recovery and handover of 753 housing units linked to former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele.
The organization called for transparency in the management and allocation of the recovered assets, insisting that victims of corrupt practices should benefit directly from restituted proceeds.
“This is a commendable achievement by the EFCC, but there must be accountability in how the recovered assets are administered. Nigerians deserve to see justice not only in words but in outcomes,” Suraju said.
Call for Democratic Renewal
HEDA also expressed concern over the shrinking civic space and suppression of dissent, referencing the government’s response to peaceful protests such as #EndBadGovernance.
The organization emphasized the need for reforms that protect civil liberties and strengthen democratic institutions.
“As the administration enters its third year, we urge President Tinubu to lead a national reorientation focused on integrity, competence, and service delivery.
“The true measure of success lies in the tangible improvement of citizens’ lives and the restoration of public trust,” Suraju concluded.
