Subsidy is gone -that was loud chorus from the President. He had not seen enough data, reviewed varied analysis and impact with his advisers nor engaged the public. He hasn’t even signaled how he would show personal example of probity and efficiency. He took down an edifice that stood for 30 years. People liken that to courage but they are getting it wrong.
Here we are subsidy of N5.4tn projected for 2024, higher than what has been paid in basic terms. I explained as long as prices aren’t oscillating on weekly basis, there’s embedded subsidy.
I am a firm believer in Waziri Adio’s book titled, “ The Arc of the Possible”. It made a point that stuck with me all through. Always resist the urge to hit the ground running especially in upturning established systems. Try to study it, get a lot of information, cultivate allies and move decisively. It’s a simple principle known as the Chesterton Fence.
It’s well defined by Joel Miller. “If we don’t understand how we got ‘here,’” says the site, “we run the risk of making things much worse. . . . The first step before modifying an aspect of a system is to understand it. Observe it in full. Note how it interconnects with other aspects, including ones that might not be linked to you personally. Learn how it works, and then propose your change.”
If someone joins my organization and starts playing politics or picking fights in first three months, I get worried. I hope everyone picks lesson from this. I like people who genuinely observe and accept more information before driving change.
The government had put us in a loop. I pray they find the vision, wisdom and discipline to get us out.
Oluseun David Onig independent
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