A scholar at the Department of Political Science, the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Aiguosatile Otoghile, has warned that the worsening economic hardship in Nigeria could lead to a revolt.
 
This is just as he attributed the suffering to the lack of functional social security systems for citizens.  Otoghile said this during a lecture titled: ‘Advocacy for the Creation of a Comprehensive Social Security in Nigeria’, organised by the Community Awareness Against Social Vices and Youth Empowerment (CAASVYE) Initiative.
   
Citing the recent uprising in Kenya, Otoghile cautioned that while a similar situation in Nigeria was undesirable, the escalating economic crises could lead to an outburst.
   
Otoghile highlighted that approximately 80 per cent of Nigerians are unable to afford three square meals a day.   He criticised the Nigerian government’s social security policies as ineffective and riddled with corruption, referring to them as ‘policy voodooism’ and failed initiatives.
 
He expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of the National Assembly, accusing its members of being more interested in recouping their election expenses than in addressing citizens’ needs.  
 
As a survival strategy, he advised Nigerians to diversify their income sources, raise awareness about their plights and vote out ineffective leaders.  In her lecture titled ‘Advancing the Law on the Enforcement of Citizens’ Right to Welfare in Nigeria’, Dr Elizabeth Ojo, from the Faculty of Law of the university, said welfare rights are social rights.
 
 However, she pointed out that the 1999 Nigerian Constitution does not make them justifiable.  She said that although there are numerous laws providing for citizens’ welfare rights, such as the National Health Act, Child Rights Act, and Pension Reform Act, there are inadequate provisions for their implementation. 
 
Ojo stressed that welfare rights promote social justice, human and economic development, and equality among citizens.  She highlighted several challenges to implementing the rights, including resource constraints, bureaucratic inefficiencies, political and economic barriers, and low public awareness. 
 
To improve the enforcement of welfare rights, Ojo recommended legal reforms, institutional strengthening through capacity building and resource allocation, enhancing judicial capacity, and implementing inclusive policies with effective monitoring and evaluation. 
 
She also emphasised the importance of public education campaigns.
   
Executive Director of CAASVYE, Osaretin Aileme, called on Nigerians to take responsibility for demanding social security from the government.   He stressed the need for a sustainable, transparent and comprehensive social security system in Nigeria.