The Nigeria Political Scientists Association (NPSA) has cautioned that Nigeria’s continued dependence on Western economic prescriptions is deepening its domestic challenges and diminishing its standing among nations.
The warning came in a communiqué released at the end of the association’s second virtual conference held over the weekend. The document, signed by NPSA National President, Prof. Hassan Saliu, reflected the outcome of deliberations by leading academics, including keynote speakers Prof. OBC Nwankwo and Musa Abutudu, with lead papers presented by Profs. Eme Ekekwe and Femi Mimiko. The opening session was chaired by Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Muhammed Tijjani Bande.
The association urged Nigerian leaders to be cautious when adopting Western economic strategies and called for a renewed focus on empowering citizens and prioritising national interests over personal gains.
NPSA also called for a recalibration of the country’s anti-corruption campaign to free up resources for developmental projects. It questioned the suitability of liberal democracy in its current form for Nigeria, suggesting a re-examination of democratic practices to ensure they reflect the needs and values of Nigerian citizens.
Highlighting the need to reinforce democratic institutions, the group stressed the importance of upholding the principles that govern them and urged electoral reforms to strengthen transparency and integrity in Nigeria’s voting processes.
On economic governance, the association advised the federal government to eliminate waste, tackle insecurity to boost productivity, and introduce people-focused interventions to ease the cost of living. It also recommended strict penalties for corruption in social intervention programmes.
The NPSA further called for a review of Nigeria’s foreign policy to promote greater national independence, while encouraging policymakers to shift focus toward productive sectors and recognise the long-term risks of mounting national debt.
