Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government to measure the success of its economic reforms by their impact on household incomes, living standards and economic opportunities, rather than improvements in government revenues and macroeconomic indicators.
The organisation made the call on Wednesday in a statement marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, saying poverty, food insecurity, and pressure on household incomes remained major concerns despite the government’s focus on economic reforms, stabilisation, and renewed growth.
The International Monetary Fund reported in June that 63 per cent of Nigerians were living below the national poverty line, while an estimated 27 million Nigerians faced food insecurity in late 2025, CAPPA said.
It said the government’s stated ambition to move from economic reform and stabilisation to shared prosperity must now be measured against Nigerians’ lived experiences.
“Beyond statistics and policy announcements, Nigerians need to feel the difference in their pockets, homes, communities, workplaces and markets,” CAPPA said.
The organisation urged the government to make citizens’ welfare a central measure of economic policy by prioritising affordable food, implementation of a living wage, decent jobs, accessible healthcare, quality education, reliable electricity, public water and social protection.
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“Economic reforms should not be considered successful merely because they improve government revenues, attract investment or strengthen macroeconomic indicators. Their ultimate test should be whether they improve household incomes, reduce hardship, expand opportunities and protect vulnerable Nigerians from being pushed deeper into poverty,” CAPPA added.
CAPPA also said Nigeria’s 66th anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the gap between the promises of independence and the realities facing millions of citizens.
The organisation acknowledged Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 and more than two decades of uninterrupted civilian government, but said the country’s democratic journey must also be assessed by whether citizens can live safely, participate in government, afford basic necessities and trust public institutions.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, CAPPA urged the Federal Government, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive elections.
INEC has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, followed by the governorship and State House of Assembly elections on February 6.
CAPPA also called for stronger transparency around election technology, voter registration, collation and results management, as well as timely resolution of electoral disputes.
It said democracy must extend beyond elections by protecting citizens’ rights to question government, demand information, organise peacefully, criticise public policy and participate in decisions affecting their lives.
“Credible electoral processes and institutions are essential, but democracy must continue between elections. Citizens must be able to question government, demand information, organise peacefully, criticise public policy and participate in decisions that affect our lives,” the organisation said.
“The government must therefore protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and civic participation, while ensuring that journalists, civil society organisations, workers, students and ordinary citizens can speak and organise without intimidation.”
The organisation also identified insecurity as a major threat to Nigeria’s democratic and economic progress, saying insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and communal violence continue to affect lives, livelihoods, education, agriculture and freedom of movement.
CAPPA urged the government to strengthen public institutions, improve oversight of public expenditure, ensure transparent procurement and enforce measures against corruption.
At 66, it said Nigeria must acknowledge its resilience and achievements while confronting weaknesses in governance and public services.
“The Nigeria of our dreams cannot be built by pretending that everything is working,” CAPPA said. “It will be built by confronting what is broken, fixing our institutions and ensuring that government works for the people.”
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X