The Coalition of Present and Past Student Leaders for APM (COPPSLA), Nigeria, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to move beyond temporary economic relief measures and implement sustainable policies capable of addressing the persistent hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.
In a press statement, the coalition expressed concern over the rising cost of living, declining household purchasing power and the growing difficulty faced by families in meeting basic needs. It acknowledged that a 30-day fuel discount could provide temporary relief to commuters, commercial transport operators and other consumers but maintained that such an intervention was insufficient to resolve the country’s underlying economic challenges.
According to COPPSLA, Nigerians require lasting economic solutions that will improve living standards, restore purchasing power and guarantee greater economic security, rather than short-term measures that offer only brief respite from the prevailing hardship.
The coalition noted that persistently high food prices, rising transportation costs, expensive healthcare, unaffordable housing and increasing educational expenses had placed considerable pressure on households across the country.
It added that students were struggling to meet the financial demands of their education, small-business owners were contending with escalating operating costs, while workers were finding it increasingly difficult to sustain themselves and their families on their monthly earnings.
COPPSLA said the situation had become a pressing national concern, requiring urgent, coordinated and measurable government action.
As an organisation committed to good governance, accountability and the welfare of Nigerians, the coalition urged the Federal Government to demonstrate greater policy direction and strategic coordination in addressing the economic realities confronting citizens.
While acknowledging that economic reforms might require time to deliver their intended benefits, COPPSLA insisted that the burden of adjustment should not fall disproportionately on ordinary Nigerians.
It maintained that the success of economic reforms should be reflected in improved living conditions, affordable food, employment opportunities, reliable energy supply and stronger purchasing power.
COPPSLA Outlines Path to Sustainable Economic Recovery
To address the situation, the coalition called on President Tinubu and the Federal Government to adopt a comprehensive economic recovery strategy anchored on six critical areas.
First, it urged the government to implement practical measures to reduce food prices by supporting farmers, improving agricultural productivity, strengthening food distribution networks and addressing insecurity in farming communities.
According to the coalition, a more productive and secure agricultural sector would help improve food availability, ease pressure on household budgets and strengthen national food security.
Second, COPPSLA advocated a comprehensive energy and transportation strategy that would go beyond temporary fuel discounts. It called for policies to improve energy supply, encourage competition, strengthen domestic refining capacity and reduce the transportation costs that continue to affect businesses and consumers.
The group also called for improved wages and stronger purchasing power, stressing that workers’ earnings must reflect prevailing economic realities. It urged the government to strengthen wage implementation, promote productive employment and support policies that enable citizens to meet their essential needs.
On enterprise development, the coalition emphasised the need for accessible financing, reliable electricity and a more stable business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises. It further urged the government to prioritise young entrepreneurs, describing them as important contributors to job creation, innovation and economic growth.
COPPSLA also demanded greater transparency and accountability in the implementation of economic policies, insisting that Nigerians deserve clear information about the use of public resources, the objectives of government interventions and the measurable benefits expected from economic reforms.
In addition, it called for targeted and sustainable social protection programmes for vulnerable households, students, pensioners, low-income earners and unemployed citizens, particularly those struggling to cope with the rising cost of living.
Tinubu Must Translate Reforms Into Tangible Benefits — COPPSLA
The coalition expressed concern that the Federal Government’s response to the prevailing economic difficulties had yet to provide sufficient reassurance to many Nigerians grappling with the cost of basic necessities.
It argued that if citizens were expected to endure the difficulties associated with economic reforms, the government must demonstrate that the sacrifices were producing tangible, measurable and fairly distributed benefits.
According to COPPSLA, a 30-day fuel discount may offer temporary assistance, but it cannot substitute for a comprehensive economic recovery plan that addresses the structural causes of hardship.
The coalition therefore challenged President Tinubu to demonstrate renewed commitment to economic recovery through stronger policy coordination, effective implementation and a clear focus on the welfare of the people.
It stressed that leadership should be assessed not merely by policy announcements but by the practical impact of government decisions on the everyday lives of citizens.
The group further warned that prolonged economic hardship, particularly among young people, students, workers and small-business owners, could deepen frustration and uncertainty about the country’s economic future.
It maintained that the social consequences of rising living costs should be treated as an urgent national priority, adding that Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources must be translated into productive investments, employment opportunities, affordable necessities and improved living standards.
‘Nigerians Deserve More Than Temporary Palliatives’
Reaffirming its position, COPPSLA said the welfare of citizens must remain at the centre of governance and economic policymaking.
The coalition called on the Federal Government to shift from short-term interventions towards a sustainable economic recovery framework supported by clear targets, transparent implementation and measurable improvements in citizens’ welfare.
It maintained that the effectiveness of any economic policy should ultimately be determined by whether Nigerians could afford food, access education and healthcare, sustain their businesses and live with dignity.
“Nigerians deserve permanent economic solutions, not temporary relief that offers only brief comfort in the face of prolonged hardship,” the coalition declared.
COPPSLA concluded that Nigeria needs an economy that works for ordinary citizens across all sectors, insisting that temporary discounts at filling stations must not take the place of a comprehensive strategy for economic stability, inclusive growth and improved living standards.
Signed:
Coalition of Present and Past Student Leaders for APM (COPPSLA), Nigeria
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