_Barrister Chidi Donald Amamgbo says President’s bold economic policies are laying foundation for $1trn economy, urges better communication and constitutional backing for state policing
By Hassan HUSSAIN
A legal practitioner and oil and gas entrepreneur, Barrister Chidi Donald Amamgbo, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a consequential leader whose economic reforms are laying the foundation for Nigeria’s long-term growth, urging Nigerians to give the administration more time to consolidate the gains.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with journalists in Abuja, Amamgbo said his decision to publicly support President Tinubu was based on the administration’s bold policy decisions and commitment to addressing long-standing economic challenges that previous governments avoided.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a consequential president in the history of Nigeria. He is the bridge between the old and the new, and one of the leaders of democracy in Nigeria. Unlike many past leaders with military backgrounds, he is a civilian democrat to the core.”
— Barrister Chidi Donald Amamgbo
The legal practitioner commended the administration for removing fuel subsidy, unifying the foreign exchange market, and introducing policies aimed at stabilizing the economy.
“He has taken on challenges that other presidents shied away from. Fuel subsidy was no longer sustainable, and it took courage to remove it. Today, the exchange rate is becoming more predictable, and we are beginning to see the results of those reforms.”
— Barrister Chidi Donald Amamgbo
He also praised improvements in the education sector, judicial infrastructure, and the nation’s foreign reserves, noting that students can now access tuition support more easily and that prolonged academic disruptions have reduced significantly.
“The government has invested in rehabilitating court infrastructure. These are achievements that deserve greater public attention.”
— Barrister Chidi Donald Amamgbo
However, Amamgbo expressed concern that the administration’s policies and achievements were not receiving adequate publicity.
“What pains many of us is that the President has not been served well by those whose responsibility it is to communicate these achievements to Nigerians.”
— Barrister Chidi Donald Amamgbo
On the Federal Government’s target of building a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2031, the oil and gas entrepreneur expressed confidence that the goal was achievable if current reforms were sustained.
“Nigeria has enormous economic potential. We have a youthful population, growing innovation in technology and a vibrant entrepreneurial base. If the current policies are sustained, I believe the one-trillion-dollar economy is achievable.”
— Barrister Chidi Donald Amamgbo
Barrister Amamgbo urged Nigerians to support ongoing reforms, stressing that continuity in economic policies would enable the government to consolidate gains already being recorded.
BACKS STATE POLICE AS PATH TO BETTER SECURITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
In a related development, Amamgbo described the proposed establishment of state police as a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
He said governors, as the chief security officers of their respective states, have the constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property and should be equipped with a policing structure that enables them to discharge that mandate effectively.
The legal practitioner argued that the creation of state police would introduce greater accountability in the use of security funds, noting that state governments would have clearly defined security institutions responsible for maintaining law and order.
“The new arrangement would provide a more structured and professional alternative to the numerous vigilante groups operating across the country, while ensuring that security resources are deployed more efficiently.”
— Barrister Chidi Donald Amamgbo
Drawing comparisons with the United States, Amamgbo explained that federal systems can successfully operate multiple policing agencies — including federal, state, and local law enforcement bodies — provided they are properly coordinated and professionally managed.
He stressed that additional security agencies should not be viewed as a threat but as an opportunity to improve public safety, provided officers are disciplined, accountable, and do not abuse their powers.
While acknowledging that the implementation of state police may encounter initial challenges, he expressed confidence that such obstacles could be overcome through effective oversight and good governance.
“The establishment of state police will place greater responsibility on state governments to respond promptly to security threats and ensure the protection of lives and property within their jurisdictions.”
— Barrister Chidi Donald Amamgbo
Amamgbo concluded by calling for constitutional amendments to give legal backing to state policing, saying it would complement federal security efforts and bring policing closer to the people.
