Did Buhari Keep His 2015 Campaign Promises? Here’s The Broken Ones

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In 2015, Muhammadu Buhari, then a candidate representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), made a series of significant promises to the Nigerian people. These pledges, spanning economic growth, public health, education, and more, were crucial in his eventual ascendance to the presidency. As his term ends, many Nigerians are asking a pressing question: Did Buhari fulfill his 2015 campaign promises?

When Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as Nigeria’s President in 2015, he promised sweeping changes and significant advancements for the country. His campaign was founded on a platform of progress and commitment, with 81 distinct promises made to the citizens of Nigeria. Now, as his tenure ends, it’s very important to reflect on these commitments, measuring his administration’s achievements against its initial pledges.

Full list of Buhari’s 2015 campaign promises

Economy and Infrastructure

In his 2015 campaign, President Buhari pledged to make Nigeria one of the fastest-growing emerging economies in the world, with a real GDP growth averaging 10% annually. He also promised to create three million jobs per year, a key focus of his economic policy.

Furthermore, there were commitments to revive and reactivate Nigeria’s minimally performing refineries, and a pledge to end gas flaring and ensure at least half of the gas produced was sold within Nigeria. Buhari also committed to speedily passing the much-delayed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to address local content issues.

However, as we take a hard look at the economic statistics and infrastructure development, these promises appear largely unfulfilled. Economic growth has been sluggish, significantly falling short of the 10% target. The job creation target has been missed, with unemployment rates rising significantly during Buhari’s tenure. The refineries remain in poor shape, and the Petroleum Industry Bill, although eventually passed, faced significant delays and controversies.

Security

Buhari pledged a resolute focus on security, promising to recruit and train at least 100,000 officers into the Nigerian police force and establish a federal anti-terrorism agency. The campaign also committed to the establishment of a Crime Squad to combat terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, militants, and ethno-religious and communal clashes nationwide.

Unfortunately, these promises have not been fully realized. Security remains a significant concern in Nigeria, with numerous reports of continued insurgencies, kidnappings, and other violent crimes. The proposed anti-terrorism agency has not been established, and while there has been recruitment into the police force, it has not met the promised figure.

Healthcare and Social Welfare

On the healthcare front, the Buhari administration promised to increase the number of physicians from 19 per 1000 population to 50 per 1000 and to increase national health expenditure per person per annum to about N50,000 (from less than N10,000). The campaign also promised a Social Welfare Program of at least Five Thousand Naira (N5000) to cater for the 25 million poorest and most vulnerable citizens.

Regrettably, the healthcare sector remains grossly underfunded, and the physician to population ratio has not seen significant improvement. Furthermore, the promised social welfare program has seen limited implementation, leaving many of the country’s most vulnerable citizens without the necessary support.

Education

In the sphere of education, the administration promised free education at primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Education. They also committed to one free meal (to include fruits) daily for public primary school pupils.

However, education funding has remained a contentious issue in Nigeria, and the delivery of free education, particularly at tertiary levels, has not been fully realized. The school feeding program, while implemented in some states, is not yet a national reality.

Conclusion

As President Buhari’s tenure ends and a new leader prepares to take office, it’s essential to reflect on the outgoing administration’s performance against its promises. While Buhari’s presidency saw some achievements, the numerous unfulfilled commitments suggest a gap between rhetoric and action, a gap that the incoming administration must strive to close.