BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO - NIGERIA
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL
SCIENCE
EFFECTS OF NEO-LIBERALISM ON PRIVATE AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
As there are varieties of neo-liberalism so there
are different and uneven consequences between nations and regions.
Within a nation, the differences may be of
historical significance showing resiliency and weaknesses of private capital
and public institutions in adapting to emerging market-oriented environment.
Both small and big indigenous businesses in the core
Northern Nigeria i.e the former Sokoto Caliphate which now comprises of
North-West and North-Central parts as well as some parts of North-East heavily
depended on the state. Of course, there
are some large industrial productive undertakings, especially in Kano and
Kaduna but are more proportionately oriented in commerce, finance, contract, strengthened
by alliance with state.
But neo-liberalism affects the state resource based
and new targets for distribution of the resources.
Indeed, nationally new beneficiaries emerge to
capture state openings.
In addition to the difficult business environment
the traditional businesses, especially the small, medium and big local
enterprises had collapsed.
Very few have adjusted to take benefits of the new market
environment.
That is the scene for private business in Nigeria
under neo-liberalism. The most
successful, sustained operations because of their global link and still
connection with local state.
The economic progress of private enterprises cannot
be divorced from the political environment.
That is why neo-liberal theory argues that economic freedom should be
accompanied by political freedom.
However, a kind of politics of “strongman” in
Nigeria today is tempering with neo-liberal political freedom which may likely
erode the initiative of private business because morality, value and so called “disciplinary
society” may be used to guide economic decision making which is not consistent
with liberal perspective. In spite of
the dogmatic application of neo-liberalism in the era of its global decline,
this would limit the prosperity of the market.
The public sector, perhaps because the state does
not whole heartedly embrace market system, and because of resistance against
neo-liberalism remains far from market practice.
For example, the university sector is for long on
the agenda of the state for reform, but still is far from market-oriented
system. This is partly because of lack
of capacity of state to confront students, university lecturers and other
segments of staff in the system and partly because the Bureaucracy directly
involved, is not interested.
Another case scenario is the case of 2005 labour
reform law which sought to decentralise the labour movement by restructuring it
into few centres and making union payment voluntary and membership too but
these could not be implemented.
Indeed, many problems like corruption and partisan
influences on the operations of the public sector has not set free the public
sector to behave market.
Neo-Liberalism
and the Rise of Boko Haram
Neo-liberalism is also a political agenda to cut the
wings of popular opposition against the interest and power of those who control
the neo-liberal society.
Such oppositions based on the interest of workers
and the poor are disorganised. Lost
focus against state power.
So people could use only ethnic, religious and other
unspecified tendencies to respond against neo-liberalism.
This is one way of understanding the Boko Haram
insurgency. Yes! Neo-liberalism resulted
in serious economic difficulties including unemployment which touch mostly the
youths but, is not unemployed person’s movement.
Perhaps it’s only connection with unemployment is
that in Nigeria the unemployed youths are recruited and paid to protest against
or give support to anything including the Head of state or any big politicians.
It seems the Boko Haram insurgency is an expression
of multi-layered conflicts – urban poor and security agencies, urban poor and
public institutions; between various segments of the elites; between different
religious groups; etc in a neo-liberal society.
It could be seen as a New Social Movement in a
political process of a neo-liberal society that has its own demands but could
not be legally recognised for democratic dialogue.
M. M. YUSIF
Senior Lecturer
Record of interview granted for research purpose
21st August, 2018.
