In a new poll by BusinessDay (in collaboration with NOI Polls), electricity, security and jobs top the list of areas in which Nigerians desire to see change.
The new survey titled ‘Top Ten Economic Issues That Nigerians Want the Government to Address’ sought to measure the perception of Nigerians about their economy and identify areas of improvement.
The survey reveals Nigerians’ perception about factors that impede their businesses and the tiers of government they deem the most responsible for effecting changes where necessary, but which have failed to do so thus far.
As revealed by the survey, “electricity” (68 percent of adults), “security” (58 percent), “job creation” (55 percent), “roads” (49 percent), “education” (42 percent), “health care” (31 percent), “agriculture/food security” (29 percent), “potable water” (26 percent), “transportation” (24 percent), and “corruption” (21 percent) are the top economic issues, and in that order, that Nigerians want the government to address.
Poor electricity supply has been identified as the major factor which impedes growth of Nigerian businesses. Although the slight majority (18 percent) reported that “electricity is one of the areas that has improved in the last six months”, 63 percent of the respondents believe the economy has not performed well in the last six months. However, 79 percent of Nigerians are hopeful that the country’s economic situation will improve in the next six months.
More than six in 10 Nigerians (63 percent) think the Federal Government should be responsible for creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, followed by 20 percent who believe that their states should take up the duty. 17 percent of the population, however, singled out the local government as being responsible for the problem.
In finding out the perception of Nigerians about the outlook of their economy for the coming six months, 79 percent held the belief that the economy will record improvement, while 15 percent think the situation will remain the same. Six percent of the population are adamant that the economic situation will actually decline further.
Despite the strong selling points of the economy – largest population in Africa, largest economy in Africa, large crude oil and natural gas deposits, and so on – the economy of the country has stagnated in real terms, thus resulting in the deterioration of the wellbeing of citizens.
Compared with other emerging countries, Nigeria has fared favourably, the survey revealed. In spite of recent growth, however, several factors have served to negatively impact the level of economic activity, vesting the citizens with undue pressure.
The findings brought to light by the survey are issues that have long plagued the Nigerian economy, and they have been apparent, even to the government. Expediting action on the obvious is a different kettle of fish, as the government has proven.
See full report on Wednesday.
