African policy experts have lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s policy improvements in areas such as electoral, pension, tax, and monetary policy, as disclosed by the president directly. In doing so, he echoed a call of action to the African Union (AU) member states to adopt a culture of peer review and peer-to-peer learning in order to develop proactive and effective leadership across the continent. This was announced during his speech at the unveiling of the Nigerian National Program of Action and the Second Country Review Report.
According to a statement released by Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Buhari reportedly said that successful leadership in Africa benefits from peer evaluation. The yearly peer review in Nigeria is a procedure designed to improve the country’s security, economy, and governance and combat corruption. Buhari said that his participation in the Second Review of Nigeria stemmed from his determination to permanently establish democracy and high standards of leadership in all facets of government and to make sure that Nigeria remains competitive.
Nigeria will continue to support the continent’s rejuvenation.
Having deemed the report crucial to Nigeria’s development, he ordered that its recommendations be carried out throughout the country’s many ministries, departments, and agencies. He said the report will help move forward the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a plan for the continent’s economic and social development over the next half-century. The report also includes a hefty order concerning the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). This is done in light of the continent’s efforts to consolidate and accelerate progress toward a better society, says the President.
To solidify Africa’s road to a nutritive democracy, sustainable progress, and prosperity, Buhari also vowed that Nigeria will continue to support the continent’s rejuvenation and resurrection in accordance with the principles and standards of the APRM. He also expressed the administration’s delight in the report’s depiction of the country’s consistent improvement so far. Nigeria will maintain its support for the APRM process going forward so that the Report’s implementation may be properly monitored and evaluated, Buhari reiterated.
Five pillars of the APRM are the bedrock of good governance.
In addition, the president acknowledged the significant contribution of the African Peer Review Mechanism’s Panel of Eminent Persons, headed by Dr. Abdoulie Janneh, who also serves as the lead panelist for Nigeria, and the rest of the team members who contributed in some way to the review’s smooth running. Furthermore, he underscored the five pillars of the APRM, which are the bedrock of good governance and upon which the Second Review was based. These are the Democracy And Political Governance; Economic Governance; Socio-Economic Governance; Corporate Governance; And Cross-Cutting Issues.
While detailing the voids that the enacted reforms and policies of the current administration, as well as the Executive Orders, are intended to fill, he stated that this procedure had enhanced the democratic victories and ideals established in Nigeria. Buhari continues by noting that he is well cognizant of the high commendations of Nigerian best practices that have been lauded as worthy of being followed, such as the digitalization of the Performance Management System, Judiciary Reform, and Institutionalization of corporate governance, among others.
The second country review report has the potential to revitalize the APRM.
Nigeria’s AUDA-NEPAD/APRM National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer Gloria Akobundu remarked on the launch of the report, noting that it would open the way for the exchange of ideas and the reinforcement of proven methods for advancing good governance and long-term prosperity on a national, regional, and continental scale. It is noteworthy that the second country review report has the potential to revitalize, rationalize, and institutionalize the APRM in governance changes inside a member State. In addition, this streamlines and reduces the cost of the APRM Review process, while also bringing it in line with Agenda 2063’s objectives and aims.
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APRM: Website
