Nigeria @ 58: Transforming potential to greatness
Nigeria celebrated fifty-eight years of independence yesterday, 01 October 2018. In the past 58 years, a number of high points have been recorded undoubtedly, which vividly suggests that nothing is comparable to freedom and independence. For fifty-eight years, Nigeria has been free to decide what she wants as an independent nation within the international community.
There is no doubt today that the infrastructural climate of Nigeria is better than what it was before independence on 01 October 1960. Whether we accept it or not, Nigeria has made some progress in entrenching a better climate for infrastructure especially in the 1970s and 1980s when the national economy was less stressful. This was the period when the federal government revenue increased on the back of crude oil. The country had money but didn’t know what to do with it. The concerns we have on the pitiable state of infrastructure are to be blamed on poor maintenance culture and the dumping of national development plan.
It’s interesting to know that Nigeria’s development plan have consistently identified technological development as a core objective. Most importantly, the 1962-1968 Development Plan predicted the attainment of a self-reliant technological development by Nigeria before the fourth plan period (1981-1985). Even the fourth development plan had technological development as its main objective, while secondary objectives include: “Increase in the real income of the average citizen; reduction in the level of unemployment and under employment; increased in supply of skilled manpower; reduction of the economy on a narrow range of activities; balanced development; greater self-reliance and increased productivity”, amongst others. Most state and international airports, oil refineries, iron and steel plants, seaports, vehicle assembly plants, etcetera, are products of the development plans. We must commend those Nigerians who worked religiously to ensure that these projects were conceptualized and implemented. But when the military government came in 1983, development plan was abandoned and replaced with rolling plans. Since then, several visions and programs have been articulated by successive governments at state and federal level, but some of their achievements are no more seen. The technological backwardness and underdevelopment experienced in the country are products the total situation within the society.
Yet, the population was increasing in the 1980s. Today, population is about 200 million with a growth that is more than economic growth. The result is that many Nigerians are poor and miserable. The country stopped effective investment in infrastructure to the extent that those provided in the 1970s and 1980s are now dilapidated. Currently, both roads and railway lines are being rehabilitated. But Nigeria still scores appallingly low marks in infrastructure.
The state of healthcare is an eyesore and it’s not different in any way from that of infrastructure. Today, the state of education which first became a priority in Nigeria after independence in 1960 is poor. We have a situation where about 10.5 million of our children are out of school, according to a United Nation’s report. Add to this is the low funding on education in the last 10 years. Out of the N55.19 trillion budgeted in the past 10 years, education got only N3.9 trillion (7% of budget), according to reports. The challenges in the education sector are numerous, and it’s almost becoming impossible for Nigeria to develop highly skilled and technologically skillful citizens in quantity and quality that will enable her compete with other nations in a world that is in the 4th industrial revolution.
The Nigeria of today is absorbed in a pool of challenges that are almost becoming intractable. Virtually every major report give some knocks to Nigeria. Despite these negatives, Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa. Besides corruption, one major threat to good outing of the country is the state of insecurity. The Niger Delta militants, North East religious extremists and North Central bandits are threats to peace and stability in Nigeria. There are more police stations than factories in some parts of the country. Without peace and stability, there will be no development.
This writer has concluded that the high level of insecurity is as a result of the country’s approach to operating democracy. Much as our politicians try, they still have to learn how to operate our own type of democracy with reverence for the citizens. Most politicians in Nigeria have the tendency to speak the language of the military almost twenty years into democracy. It is certainly wrong for Mr President to declare publicly to the disappointment of Nigerians and members of the international community that rule of law is subject to national interest and national security. It will also, be incorrect to say that there is no going back on a policy that is flawed such as the one on privatization of the PHCN. Since 2013, the nation has not achieved the efficiency expected in the power sector. Report has it that only 59 percent of Nigerians have access to power supply in 2016.
From the foregoing analysis, one can see that Nigeria faces a number of challenges. Their cumulative effect is that Nigeria as a country is digging below her weight with concerns on her ability to turning her potentials to greatness. But before the country arrives at the Promised Land, certain steps are expected to be taken by elected and appointed officials to ensure that the country’s economy grows. The first set is to have quality political leadership who have the capacity and will to sustain development programs. As we have commenced the process of electing new political leaders, Nigerians should “shine their eyes” to vote those aspirants who have credibility in the society. Citizens should not sell votes because it is akin to selling their future to the devil. Democracy will certainly solve the numerous challenges of this country which many citizens are worried about. What is required is consistency, deepening of approaches in solving national problems, and more participation by the citizens in governance. Once the people are lost in any democratic enterprise, what remains is an empty barrel. Fellow Nigerians it’s time to transform our potential to greatness. Once again, happy independence anniversary to you all.