Human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, has put forward a proposal to remove import duties on all goods if she were to become Nigeria’s president.
Yesufu outlined her vision for transforming the Nigerian economy by making goods cheaper, addressing insecurity, and revitalizing the tourism sector.
She suggested that eliminating import duties would significantly reduce the cost of goods entering the country, positioning Nigeria as a key destination for affordable products, not only for African nations but also for other global markets.
Taking to X, Yesufu emphasized the need for substantial infrastructure development and affordable capital to attract industries to establish operations in Nigeria and produce locally.
In addition to economic reforms, Yesufu highlighted the importance of tackling insecurity and improving the country’s tourism industry. She argued that by lowering the cost of goods and enhancing security, Nigeria could become a major hub for international visitors, who would contribute to the economy through purchases, travel, and hotel stays.
Yesufu also proposed a focus on training skilled workers to meet the demands of global industries. She expressed a desire for companies like Apple to set up production facilities in Nigeria, serving both African and global markets.
Furthermore, she called for a shift in Nigeria’s educational system, advocating for primary and secondary schools to focus on preparing students for modern, 21st-century jobs, rather than prioritizing certificates alone.
She wrote: “If I was the President of Nigeria, I will propose that we do away with import duties on all goods. Ensure that goods coming into Nigeria are extremely cheap, then focus on making the default place to come for cheap goods by all other African countries and also other continents.
“Tackle insecurity and revamp tourism. People coming to buy goods will use transportation and stay in hotels. Then extensively work on infrastructure and cheap capital to attract those industries to even come set up shops in Nigeria and produce here.
“Massive training of skilled workers for different jobs. I want Apple to have the skilled workers and infrastructure for them to come make their products here for the African market and the rest of the world.
“I will focus on primary and secondary school education and training for the 21st-century jobs instead of certificates. Yes, I am that crazy. #OneOfMyCrazyIdeasForNigeria.”
