Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman’s Book Presentation Sparks National Reflection: Who Truly Owns Nigeria?
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
In a powerful homecoming ceremony at Bayero University Kano (BUK), former Nigerian Finance Minister Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman presented his groundbreaking book Public Policy and Agent Interest: Perspectives from the Emerging World to his Kano community. The event marked not just a literary milestone but a profound homecoming for one of Nigeria’s most respected economic minds.
A Homecoming with Purpose
Though the book had its formal launch in Abuja months earlier, Dr. Usman deliberately chose Kano—his birthplace and the foundation of his public service journey—for its first Northern Nigeria presentation. The event drew an impressive gathering of academics, traditional leaders, students, and development professionals.
“This is more than a presentation,” Dr. Usman stated in his keynote address. “It is my way of returning home—not just with memories, but with ideas that can serve our people.”
Bridging Global Insight and Local Urgency
Dr. Usman, who rose from Kano’s Garangamawa quarters to national prominence through key roles at the Federal Ministry of Finance and National Planning Commission, offered a stark diagnosis of Nigeria’s stagnation. With extensive experience in IMF and World Bank policies, he identified the core issue as a failure of governance rooted in the betrayal of public trust.
He explained the principal-agent problem—where those entrusted to serve (agents) prioritize personal interests over public good, leaving citizens (the principals) disillusioned. “This book is about the broken promise between government and citizens. What we call in Hausa, rashin rikon amana [breach of trust],” he emphasized.
From Theory to Reality: Nigeria’s Governance Crisis
Drawing from his tenure as Finance Minister, Dr. Usman shared firsthand experiences, particularly the struggle to establish the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund—an initiative designed to secure oil wealth for future generations that faced fierce political opposition.
“That fight wasn’t just about economics. It was about values—about choosing between national interest and personal interest,” he recalled. This tension between policy and politics, he argued, remains central to Nigeria’s development challenges.
The Local Impact of National Failures
Dr. Usman connected these national issues to tangible local consequences, particularly in Kano. He highlighted alarming statistics on out-of-school children, urban infrastructure decay, and eroding trust in public institutions among youth.
“When our youths see a system that rewards connections over competence, they don’t just lose faith—they lose direction,” he warned, identifying this as the most damaging consequence of governance failures.
A Blueprint for Change
Rather than dwelling on problems, Dr. Usman presented solutions. The book, co-authored with notable figures including Dr. Yemi Kale and Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, outlines a four-point development framework:
- Demand transparency: Citizens must insist on access to government data and spending
- Challenge vested interests: Society must support honest leaders and confront systemic exploitation
- Rebuild the social contract: Citizens should fulfill civic duties while demanding quality services
- Engage actively: Everyone must act, speak, or at minimum reject injustice in their hearts
Quoting a prophetic Hadith, Dr. Usman provided moral guidance: “If you see evil, change it with your hand. If not, speak out. If not, reject it in your heart—that is the weakest of faith.”
Building the Future: The Shamsuddeen Usman Foundation
The event also served as the public launch of the Shamsuddeen Usman Foundation, established by his children with focus areas in education, health, and information technology.
“We cannot just criticize the past—we must build the future. That is why this Foundation exists: to give our children the tools to lead,” Dr. Usman explained.
More Than a Book—A Civic Manual
Dr. Usman concluded by framing his work as a practical guide for Nigerians to reclaim their role in governance: “This book is for you. It is a guide to demand the accountability and dignity every Nigerian deserves. Let us work together to mend this broken promise.”
As applause filled BUK’s halls, the message resonated clearly: Nigeria’s future depends not on its political agents, but on the awakened resolve of its true owners—the people.
All credit goes to the original article. For more information, visit the source.