These are most important events that shaped Nigeria in 2017.
2017 was the year of political agitation and social media consciousness the likes of which had not been seen in Africa's most populous country in a while.
Business Insider SSA highlights the moments that lit up the year in Nigeria.
1. President Buhari’s medical vacation
This was the first major event that defined the tempo of government and issues of governance in Nigeria. President Buhari first left the country on medical leave on January 15, 2017. He requested an extension of the medical leave and returned to the country on March 10, 2017.
Upon return, President Buhari avoided the public for about three weeks, and finally proceeded on an indefinite medical leave on May 5, 2017, to receive treatment for an undisclosed ailment in the United Kingdom.
This situation unsettled the political equation in the country and also affected the economic recovery of the country.
2.Budget padding and Acting President signing the Budget
The Budget padding exercise that threatened the 2016 budget, was also repeated in 2017.
A stand-off between the legislature and executive arms further made the situation tense. The President's absence was utilised to create many constitutional-based problems one of which was the legality of an acting President signing the budget, leaving vice president Osinbajo in a political lurch.
3. #OpenNASS campaign
As the budget padding battle between the executive and legislature raged, civil society organisations (CSOs) demanded and forced the National Assembly to publicise its budget for the first time in 18 years.
4. The Metaphor of the "Lion King, Hyenas and Jackals"
First Lady Aisha Buhari also added to the many political dramas in Nigeria during her husband's illness when she labelled a cartel within the government as "hyenas and jackals".
This metaphorical expression set the tone for the return of the President, alongside the rumour of possible cabinet reshuffling by President Buhari.
5. Etisalat (now 9mobile) debt crisis
The $1.2 billion debts crisis of Etisalat (now 9mobile) shaped the third quarter of 2017. It took political, economic and financial compromise and solutions to address the crisis.
6. Nigeria coming out of recession
The best news of the year seems to be Nigeria exiting recession in Q2 2017. The announcement by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) meant more to government officials and small business operators in Nigeria.
7. Killing of Colonel Abu M. Ali by Boko Haram
The death of Colonel Abu M. Ali was one of the low points and became an event for everyone in the country.
Col. Ali was the main actor in the country’s fight against the insurgents Boko Haram in the North East of Nigeria. His leading role in the recapture of Bama Town and other territories from Boko Haram was significant.
8. Multi-million Naira grass cutting scandal
Misappropriation of public funds is the last thing Nigerians ever expected from a government that promised to fight corruption. The news of involvement of the former Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Mr David Babachir Lawal, in a N200 million grass cutting contract at an IDP camp dampened the morale of many government’s supporters.
9. Nigeria’s Qualifications to the Russia 2018 World Cup
Nigeria’s qualifications to the Russia 2018 World Cup was a sporting highlight.
11. Mainagate
Mr Abdulrasheed Maina, who was declared a fugitive by the country’s anti-corruption body, was reabsorbed into the civil service and subsequently promoted.
The revelation of this led to an in-fighting within the cabinet of President Buhari.
12. #ENDSARSNOW Campaign
One gift December 2017 gave Nigerian was the Twitter campaign, #ENDSARSNOW. Many Nigerians used the opportunity to narrate their ugly experiences with Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SAR) of the Nigeria Police and called for it to be disbanded.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is a special unit saddled with the responsibility of curtailing high profile crimes in the country. However, officials of this unit have been known to be notorious for abuse of human rights among others.
The situation got to its climax when a battalion of the unit shot an innocent citizen on December 1, 2017, in Lagos. This led to an online campaign to totally end operation of this unit. In response, the country’s police chief, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has promised to reorganize the unit, but Nigerians are still calling for more drastic action.