The 2019 presidential election has produced many candidates vying for the position of the number one citizen in Nigeria. And each of them is full of promises to change the lives of Nigerians within four years. Here are some of their many promises:

Ezekwesili Obiageli

Ezekwesili Obiageli, former Minister of Solid Minerals ,Federal Minister of Education, and one time Vice-President of the World Bank’s Africa division from May 2007 to May 2012 who holds a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, as well as a Master of Public Administration degree from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University is also in the race for the presidential position.

The 55-year-old Ezekwesili christened her campaign mantra as “Project Rescue Nigeria” Ezekwesili said if voted as the country’s next president, she would ensure an all-inclusive government amongst others.

“I bring you a message of hope, that I and millions of supporters will march in solidarity to ensure that Nigeria gets a new focused leadership in 2019,” she said. In earlier interviews and campaigns, she had promised to create-

Equal opportunities for everyone

The Bring-back-our-girls activist on The Factor promises to offer equal opportunities to all Nigerians irrespective of age, religion, gender or region. “The policy we want to create is equality of opportunity” she promises to put before her equality of all “equality of opportunity is going to drive everything,” she said.

Women Empowerment

Stressing that societies that empower their women are at the top of the economic league table, “the more your women are part of the decision making processes, the more likely that your society will do better,” she said. The Federal Character which provides for equality of opportunity Ezekwesili claims that “in the process of trying to create inclusion, we took Federal Character and reduced it to mediocrity” referring to previous administrations, pledging that hers will change the status quo.

Make the required resources available for youths in Nigeria

She also pledges that the youths are going to be centre stage in her administration policy “the young are going to be very prominent, I love the minds of the young,I have seen young Nigerians excel in different field in the world, so we are going to make that thing available where they are running off to available here.” The aspirant promised that her administration will work with the young people to identify the barriers that limit them and integrate the youth in the political processes.

We will decentralise power

The aspirant also promises to decentralize power “as much as possible” while discussing the authority of the state police and the nations’ restructuring.

Economy

“I will put NNPC in a place where it faces the market, maximum investment by both the public and private investors are going to be key. Our economic reform will ensure that we have macroeconomic stability, that will give confidence to investors, consumers and the market generally including government confidence.  While looking at inflation to ensure inflation is not affecting the poor.” she said.

Kingsley Moghalu

Kingsley Moghalu, Former Central Bank Governor has made many promises to the Nigerians during his campaign for the 2019 presidential race. Most of these promises are hinged on the aspirants’ visions for Nigeria set in his book ‘BIG’ (Build, Innovate, Grow) as his policy agenda-

All senior officials of the presidency will be announced within 48 hours

Compose a world-class, “first eleven” team based on merit and inclusive governance to drive government policy. We will be ready on Day One. The appointment of all senior officials of the Presidency will be announced within 48 hours. “My government will enthrone evidence-based public policy, strategy and risk management as tools of effective and modern governance” -Moghalu.

There will be a fundamental overhaul of the educational system of Nigeria to make the economy stronger.

Establish and propagate through the educational system a foundation philosophical worldview for the Nigerian state, around which all Nigerians will unite in a common purpose nation-building

“The economy system will be re-founded in such a way that a graduate from secondary school and universities will focus on skill, so the educational system will now be a skill-based educational system”. Moghalu laid more emphasis on this promise during a lecture organized by Center for Financial Journalism (CFJ) on 22 of March 2018.

Promises to restructure Nigeria

Lead a consultative political process, in cooperation with the National Assembly, to achieve a constitutional restructuring of Nigeria and return our country to true federalism for stability and prosperity by 2021.

Promises to give 50 per cent appointments to women if elected Nigeria’s president in 2019.

Implement a 50:50 gender parity policy in all political appointments — nearly double the ratio recommended by the National Gender Policy of 2008.

He noted that the marginalization of women in the country could only be addressed when women collaborate with men to discuss as partners in progress rather than engage in “battle of sexes.” Moghalu made the pledge at a town-hall meeting on Thursday in Lafia, Nasarawa State as part of his consultative tour of the 36 states.

 To recruit at least 1.5 million policemen and women

A fundamental overhaul of the Nigerian Police Force that will emphasize training, equipment, and boosting the strength of the Force by recruiting at least 1.5 million policemen and women, up from the grossly inadequate present force strength of 350,000. The presidential aspirant also promised to embark on Police reform and restructure the security architecture of the country in order to address the incessant herdsmen/farmers crisis and other security challenges.

Pledges to establish a venture capital fund with a vote N1tr for industrialisation

“We will pump capital into our capitalist economy. Under my presidency, we will float a massive venture capital fund of minimum N500 billion from the government and another N500 billion from the private sector. With this venture capital fund we can begin to invest in innovations and industrial growth,” this he pledged to 24 of May 2018 during his official declaration in Abuja under the Young Progressive Party (YPP).

Establish a Venture Capital Fund with a minimum of N500 billion as a public-private partnership to invest in the creation of new businesses by presently unemployed youth in Nigeria; the new businesses created with support from this fund will, in turn, create new jobs. The fund will be managed by private sector partners while the Federal Government of Nigeria will be a core investor”.

A total shift to renewable energy for households

Reform energy policy to create an enabling environment for Nigerian households to be powered by renewable energy while industrial zones are served by gas and hydro-powered energy.

 Stop Medical Tourism

Fundamental reform of Nigeria’s healthcare system to assure quality healthcare for Nigerian citizens and remove the need for medical tourism abroad. Healthcare will have 15 per cent of Nigeria’s budget in line with the Abuja Declaration of the African Union in 2001. A world-class hospital will be established in each of the six geopolitical zones at a federal university teaching hospital.  “We will bring back these professionals to transform the country’s education sector to world-class and stop medical tourism abroad.” This he said in a town hall meeting in Nasarawa State.

Twenty per cent allocation of the FG budget in education, 30 per cent increase over eight years.

Fundamental reform of Nigeria’s education system to create skills and human capital that will drive Nigeria’s industrialization and job creation. Education will be allocated 20 per cent of the federal government budget, with a progressive increase to 30 per cent over eight years.

Fight corruption

While speaking during a lecture organized by Center for Financial Journalism (CFJ) the aspirant stressed on the need for a generational shift towards a leadership that has the youth of the country within the helms of affairs, also assure that if elected he would curb corruption in the nation. “Nigeria needs a generational shift, a generational shift that is not based on age but based on the idea.”

He said that he would run a participatory and accountable government with transparency in finances. Secrecy he said aids corruption and the way out would be technology as a tool of financial management to aid transparency

Provide the Opportunities for Locally-Based Companies to Manufacture and Assemble Mobile Phones in Nigeria

“Technology is the biggest driver of the global economy in the 21st century, and this sector can play an important role in reviving our economy. For example, most of the wealth in the cell phone business is generated outside our country even though some of the raw materials are taken from Nigeria. Upon becoming president in 2019, we intend to provide the opportunities for locally-based companies to manufacture and assemble mobile phones in Nigeria to boost income,” he said. Speaking during a tour of Ikeja Computer Village in Lagos.