Tunji Bello, a seasoned public servant and long-time associate of President Bola Tinubu, has shed light on the challenges the president faces in translating his past successes as Lagos governor to the national stage.
Bello, who now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), highlighted the complexities of leading Nigeria as a vastly different task from governing a state.
Speaking during an interview on Inside Sources, a Channels Television programme hosted by Laolu Akande, Bello pointed to the “monumental challenges” Tinubu inherited upon assuming office, suggesting these are significant reasons why the president’s widely praised governance style in Lagos hasn’t yet fully materialized at the federal level.
“In Lagos, he did wonders and people expected the same at the national level. But Nigeria is a different entity, filled with complexities that don’t exist at the state level,” Bello remarked.
He noted that the federal system, particularly the principle of Federal Character—which requires balanced representation of Nigeria’s regions—poses a significant hurdle for Tinubu, one he didn’t face during his time as governor. “He can’t just transplant what worked in Lagos to the national level without adjustments,” Bello said.
However, Bello defended Tinubu’s performance so far, stating that despite overwhelming issues—ranging from infrastructure deficits to fuel crises, insecurity, and labor unrest—the president is navigating the turbulent waters and showing promise. “He’s done well under the circumstances, but adjustments are needed in some areas. Still, he’s demonstrated that he listens to the people and is focused on their needs,” Bello said.
The FCCPC boss also urged patience, expressing confidence that Nigerians will begin to see significant progress in the coming years. “No leader can do it all in one year. In the next two or three years, we will witness major improvements,” he assured.
On a separate note, Bello addressed the role of his agency, the FCCPC, in curbing exploitative practices by traders across Nigeria. According to him, traders have blamed poor infrastructure, inflation, and insecurity for price hikes, but Bello warned against using such reasons to justify price gouging. “While we are not against profit-making, profiteering is unacceptable and will be met with severe penalties,” he emphasized.
Bello revealed that his agency has begun engaging with traders nationwide, starting in Abuja, and is prepared to impose fines of up to billions of naira, alongside market closures, on those found guilty of exploiting consumers. He encouraged the public to report such practices to the FCCPC, stressing that collaboration between citizens and the agency is key to addressing the issue.
“We need Nigerians to come forward with information, so we can take action and protect consumers from exploitation,” Bello urged.
