AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF WIDESPREAD HARDSHIP IN NIGERIA(AN EXPERIENCE UNDER TINUBU ADMINISTRATION)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The news of economic hardship in Nigeria has reached a level where it is now a worldwide concern, and it may no longer be an exaggeration to say so. Economic hardship refers to a substantial decrease in economic activity that affects the entire economy. This reduction is typically observed in indicators such as real gross domestic product (GDP), real income, employment, and industrial production. The effects of economic hardship are usually long-lasting. The main idea is that during an economic downturn, there is a significant reduction in economic activities, which has a lasting impact on several sectors of the economy (Abiodun, 2023). Abiodun (2023) outlines the main aspects of economic hardship as follows: a significant decrease in the quarterly real gross domestic product, a decline in economic activities in both the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors, a decrease in income and profits for businesses, a reduction in government revenue, and job losses resulting from large-scale layoffs by companies in order to reduce costs and stay operational. 

According to Odoh and Waheed (2024), the severe economic difficulties in Nigeria have persistently caused frustration among many Nigerians, particularly the youth who are increasingly yearning to leave the nation in quest of better opportunities abroad. It is important to acknowledge that when highly educated and skilled individuals from a country leave in large numbers to seek better opportunities elsewhere due to poor working conditions, delayed salary payments, economic difficulties, unemployment, underemployment, and similar factors, it is referred to as brain-drain. This has a detrimental impact on the country of origin and provides advantages to the country of destination. 

According to Odoh and Waheed (2024), the rising prices of food products and vital materials are causing hunger to spread throughout the country. This, in turn, is leading to increased insecurity. Additionally, the lack of reliable power supply is exacerbating the problem. Consequently, a greater number of individuals will choose to leave the country. According to Odoh and Waheed (2024), the leaders of Nigeria have effectively leveraged their lack of understanding and knowledge to cause significant damage to the nation. Moreover, economic hardship does not arise spontaneously; it is the result of preceding factors. According to Ikpor (2016), Nigeria's economic troubles can be attributed to governance challenges, lack of government policy directives, corruption among public officeholders, excessive dependence on crude oil, lack of economic diversification, and various other causes. 

Furthermore, according to Koli (2023), the reasons behind the economic difficulties faced by the residents, which have resulted in their struggle to meet their basic needs, are complex and varied. The author identifies heavy dependence on oil exports, corruption, and misuse of resources as the primary factors. 

Statement of the Problem

Economic hardship encompasses a broad spectrum of challenges, such as inadequate monthly salaries that fail to support individuals for a few weeks, difficulty in securing employment, inability to afford children's school fees, government and employers' inability to pay workers' salaries, negative impact on individuals' incomes and profits, job loss due to employers' inability to meet salary obligations, persistent increase in the prices of goods and services, and various other concerns.Additionally, Habib (2024) states that the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed his concern over the increasing economic hardship in the country, stating that Nigerians had resorted to scavenging as a means of survival. There have been multiple documented cases of attacks and thefts targeting warehouses and food trucks in various towns of Nigeria. These crimes have been attributed to the prevailing conditions of hardship and high standard of living (Habib, 2024).  

Isenyo (2024) states that enraged youth and women demonstrated on the streets of Minner, the capital of Niger State, as well as in Kano, to express their discontent with the increasing cost of living in the country. The author further asserts that the Christian Association of Nigeria in the nineteen northern states and Abuja has also said that the distress in Nigeria is becoming intolerable for ordinary Nigerians (Isenyo, 2024). On the other hand, Adeleye (2024) argues that the protests were not politically motivated, as the ruling government believed, but rather a result of genuine hunger and increasing poverty in the country. The numerous accounts of adversity suggest the possibility of additional repercussions.  Nevertheless, the issue of economic hardship in Nigeria must be mitigated, since it is resulting in the loss of life, employment, and housing for citizens on a daily basis. To mitigate the current predicament Nigeria is grappling with because of the removal of fuel subsidy, it is imperative for the government to allocate sufficient resources to bolster the economic and financial system, and guarantee the provision of essential ccommodities to the impoverished population (Edeh, 2024). 

Although the Nigerian government under Tinubu administration has attempted several initiatives to alleviate the effects of economic stagnation, these efforts frequently fall short in appropriately addressing the distinct requirements of women. According to Okoi, Okpa & Iniama (2021), insufficient policies exist to specifically address the economic empowerment of women and establish social safety nets. The African Development Bank (2023) contends that the current support mechanisms are inadequate and fail to reach the most susceptible women. Nevertheless, ppolicy interventions must be effective in addressing the specific obstacles that women experience and ensuring their access to resources and opportunities that can assist them in navigating economic crises. 

 1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is on an in-depth study of widespread hardship in Nigeriaa. Specifically, the study will;

Assess the level of economic hardship in Nigeria under Tinubu administration.

Determine the extent to which economic hardship has affected the cost of living in Nigeria.

Assess the impact of economic hardship on job opportunities and creation in Nigeria.

Determine whether economic hardship has an effect on the income level of Nigerian citizens.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What is the level of economic hardship in Nigeria under Tinubu Administration?

To what extent has economic hardship affected the cost of living in Nigeria?

What is the impact of economic hardship on job opportunities and creation in Nigeria?

Does economic hardship have an effect on the income level of Nigerian citizens?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0: Economic hardship has no significant effect on the cost of living in Nigeria.

Ha: Economic hardship has significant effect on the cost of living in Nigeria.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study findings will assist the Nigerian government and policymakers in designing effective economic policies and interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of inflation in the country. NGOs and social activists will be able to advocate for policies that protect vulnerable populations from the adverse effects of economic hardship. Nevertheless, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to an in-depth study of widespread hardship in Nigeria. 

1.7 Scope of the study   

The scope of this study is boarded on an in-depth study of widespread hardship in Nigeria.  Geographically, the study will be delimited to residents of Kano state.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.9 Definition of Terms

Economic:  relates to the economy, which is the system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services in a particular country or region.

Economic hardship: a state of financial distress experienced by individuals, households, or communities.

Economic downturn: a period of declining economic performance across an economy, typically marked by reductions in GDP, industrial production, employment, and consumer spending.