“Is Nigeria Better Than Two Years Ago?” — Lawyers Respond With A Resounding ‘No’ At NBA 2025 Conference

Seun Okinbaloye, Political Editor at Channels Television and host of Politics Today and Sunday Politics, moderated a lively plenary session titled “Is the Economy Stupid?” at the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Enugu.

The session featured the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, alongside distinguished panelists Gabriel Okeowo, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, and George Etomi, who discussed Nigeria’s economic trajectory and governance challenges.

Okinbaloye posed a striking question to the audience of legal professionals: “Is Nigeria better than it was two years ago?” The response was immediate and emphatic — a resounding “No,” met with applause. Follow-up questions on whether the country is on the right track with current policies and whether the administration is in touch with national realities drew similarly negative reactions, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction among the attendees.

A viral video from the session captured the candid feedback, igniting discussions across media platforms. Analysts on Arise News weighed in, interpreting the lawyers’ responses as a reflection of broader public sentiment.

 

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Dr. Reuben Abati noted that Nigerians, at home and in the diaspora, are acutely aware of the country’s economic hardships, citing the rise in basic food prices — for example, a tuber of yam now costing 5,000 naira compared to 1,000 naira previously. He urged the government to implement safety nets for vulnerable citizens while warning that simplistic or leading questions could obscure the nuances of complex issues.

Rufai Oseni criticized the government’s optimistic narrative, highlighting discrepancies between official claims and lived realities. He argued that reforms, while promoted as progressive, have increased prices and worsened poverty. Oseni called for practical interventions, including boosting agricultural production and addressing supply chain inefficiencies, rather than relying on rhetoric.

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