Vice President Shettima says public engagement shaped key reforms from fuel to education.
At a Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation engagement in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima defended the administration’s governing style as inclusive and responsive. “We walk hand in hand with citizens through reforms,” he asserted, pointing to areas like fuel subsidy removal, tax policy, and higher‑education loan frameworks which were adjusted following public input.
Shettima noted that feedback helped amend the Access to Higher Education Act—removing income caps and guarantor barriers that previously blocked many young Nigerians from student loans. He stressed that policymaking is no longer technocratic isolation but an interactive process.
While supporters hail the approach as a democratic evolution, critics contend it masks economic hardship, particularly related to subsidy removal and inflation. Some argue that while public sessions sound progressive, major decisions still reflect top-down priorities.
Nevertheless, the session underscored an evolving narrative: governance aligned with citizen voice. If sustained, this participatory model could enhance policy legitimacy and bridge public distrust in future decision‑making cycles.
I'm Adedayo Obadina
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