The stark contrast between the fast-paced political manoeuvrings of US President Donald Trump and Nigeria’s notoriously slow and bureaucratic political processes cannot be overstated. Upon assuming office, Trump wasted no time, quickly signing a series of executive orders that initiated immediate policy changes. From border security to climate agreements, his presidency was characterised by decisiveness and boldness. In contrast, Nigeria’s governance has often been plagued by sluggishness and inefficiency, with vital reforms and policy changes stalling for years, leaving the country to lag behind in various sectors.
Trump’s approach to governance was nothing short of assertive. Upon his inauguration, he quickly enacted executive orders that had an immediate impact on his administration’s goals. These included extending a deadline for ByteDance to comply with a law that could have led to TikTok’s ban, tightening immigration policies, and withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. He didn’t wait for Congressional approval or get bogged down by lengthy deliberations. His style was direct, leveraging the executive orders that granted him the power to make sweeping changes without the need for political compromise.
In comparison, Nigeria’s political processes often move at a glacial pace. Proposed bills, critical reforms, and executive decisions are frequently delayed by bureaucracy, political infighting, and the lack of accountability. Even simple policies meant to boost economic or security measures can take years to be fully implemented. For example, efforts to reform Nigeria’s power sector, despite being high on the government’s agenda for decades, have not translated into meaningful changes for the average citizen. The sluggish pace often results in frustration and a growing distrust of government actions.
One area where this delay is particularly evident is in Nigeria’s handling of security. While President Trump took immediate steps to strengthen border security by declaring a national emergency, Nigeria’s attempts to tackle its own security challenges have often been marred by bureaucratic inertia. The Boko Haram insurgency and widespread bandit kidnappings continue to plague the nation, yet decisive and coherent strategies to address these issues remain elusive.
Furthermore, Trump’s decision to pivot on policies like energy production and climate change highlights the agility with which his government approached change. He rolled back Obama-era environmental regulations almost immediately, prioritising fossil fuel production to benefit US energy security. In contrast, Nigeria, despite being one of the world’s largest oil producers, has failed to develop a cohesive and sustainable energy policy. The transition to cleaner energy sources is often delayed by political and economic factors, and the country continues to face the challenges of inadequate infrastructure and mismanagement.
Despite these glaring differences, Nigeria can take some valuable lessons from Trump’s administration. While his policies were often controversial, his swift decision-making and clear vision for change were a reminder of the importance of timely execution in governance. There is an undeniable need for Nigeria to streamline its decision-making processes, reduce bureaucracy, and adopt a more proactive stance in tackling issues such as security, infrastructure, and economic development.
In a recent conversation on Politics Today on Channels Television, political analyst Akinyemi urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to adapt to Trump’s blunt style of political engagement, even when policies may seem to be at odds with Nigeria’s interests. The need for agility in the face of global challenges cannot be overstated, and as the world continues to evolve rapidly, Nigeria’s political class must overcome its tendency towards paralysis. Whether engaging with foreign leaders or implementing internal reforms, Nigeria must learn from the decisiveness seen in the US and aim for quicker, more effective solutions to its ongoing problems.
While the political climate in Nigeria may not mirror that of the US, adopting some of Trump’s decisiveness could help address the nation’s most pressing issues. The question remains: will Nigerian leadership be bold enough to make the necessary changes, or will it continue to be bogged down by the slow-moving wheels of bureaucracy? Only time will tell.