Nigeria! The Giant of Africa, the most populous black nation in the world with over 160 million people and, with the recent rebasing of the economy, Africa’s largest economy. Although Nigeria is among the first 10 bigest producers of crude oil in the world and has one of the largest proven reserves of petroleum, yet, the discovery of petroleum and natural gas are believe by some to have only prompted unreasonably high rate of corrupt practices.
Why? Bribery, corruption and impunity have become the order of the day, and hardly do the dusts of one financial scandal settle down before a fresh one emerges. From Farouk-gate, to Oduah-gate, to missing NNPC funds, to the Malabu oil saga, to arms deal saga, to mention but some those are still fresh in our memory. Stark acts of impunity are continually being committed by our politicians and security agencies, as well. Most recent examples were the arrest of AIT reporter Mr. Amaechi Anakwue by Joseph Mbu, AIG in charge of Zone 7 as well as the withdrawal of speaker of the House of Representatives’ security details by the IGP, Suleiman Abba. Why Nigeria?
Do we bother to ask the question: why should citizens of a nation so blessed with abundant resources is living in penury? Why a country blessed with abundant mineral resources including Bauxite, Gold, Niobium, Zinc, Iron Ore etc and despite all these resources, the mining industry is still far from being a vibrant one. Nigeria is one of the most ecologically wonderful places on the planet, with over 4,700 types species of plants, yet whereas about 40% of Nigerians live in abject poverty 70% remain unemployed, why, Nigeria?
A nation that describe itself as the giant of Africa, yet none of its universities could make it to the list of 100 best universities in the world, and billions are being budgeted for the education sector annually. The decay in in the education sector is so much that university lecturers could go on strike for almost a year only for their counterparts in polytechnics and colleges if education to join them later. Nigeria is where students buy exam grades from their lecturers, why?
The health sector remains one that faces some of the biggest challenges, which is why the president, his wife and other Nigerian VIPs are always flown to Dubai, Germany, Britain and the US for medical attention. This is because most of the state owned health institutions are in terrible state ranging from lack of inadequate equipment and medical personnel as well as dearth of infrastructure, though billions are budgeted yearly. Why Nigeria? Why?
Nigeria, what happened to your enormously rich agricultural sector which used to be the main foreign exchange earner at a time when you were one of the largest exporters of groundnuts, cocoa, palm oil in the world? Oh beautiful Nigeria, why? Despite its privatization, Nigerians are yet to begin enjoying 24 hours of uninterrupted electricity even though they have to buy it in high rate from the disco centres for electricity. Whereas South Africa is set to produce additional 27,000 megawatts of electricity, in 4 years to come, Nigeria (with a population of over 160 million) can still not boast of 5000 megawatts, prompting Ghana to offer help to export electricity to Nigeria. Oh giant of Africa! Why?
Although the NNPC has the capacity to produce 445,000 oil barrels, per day, yet, the company boasts only 18% capacity utilization and efficiency. Oh Nigeria! Why? Thus far, trillions of naira have been spent on the war against insurgency, with security gulping about 800 to 900 billion annually, one need to ask how all these money was spent, as the terrorists keep on waxing stronger, killing, maiming, raping as well as destroying property and annexing local government areas in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, on a daily basis. While Nigeria is yet to rescue or secure the release of the more than 200 Chibok girls still being held in captivity by Boko Haram for now over 6 months, Cameroun was able to secure the release of its nationals and foreigners alike.
Oh Nigeria! You remain one of the most corrupt countries in the world, with some of the weakest government institutions, poor pay incentives, and lack of genuine anti-corruption bodies. All these beg for answer dear Nigeria.
Fatima Yahaya is a Mass Communication student at Baze University, Abuja
